Sports
Price of failure
The continental flagship football tournament – African Cup of Nations, roars off tomorrow in Cameroon with 24 contingents, including battling for a Holy Grail that carries a mammoth weight of expectation.
All contenders have promised their countrymen a solid show, hoping to put their best foot forward – and with a bit of luck land the gold of glory – after more than three weeks of potentially ferocious exchanges.
Whilst countries have urged their representatives to do their damnedest and plant the sparkles on the faces of their followers, Guinea has decided to adopt a more militant approach.
In a combative mood, Guinea President Colonel Mamady Doumbouya last December warned his players to win the Africa Cup of Nations or be made to pay back the money used to help them prepare for the tournament.
Led by Liverpool star Naby Keitam, the National Elephants– are in Group B alongside Malawi, Senegal, and Zimbabwe for the tournament – which is set to roll of tomorrow, January 9.
Guinea’s best ever finish at an Africa Cup of Nations was recorded in 1976, when they finished runners-up to Morocco in the last edition of the tournament to feature a final group stage.
But military officer Doumbouya – who led a coup d’état by the country’s armed forces against Alpha Conde and his government last September 5 – has laid down a dreadful ultimatum to Kaba Diawara’s men.
“Bring back the trophy or bring back the money we invested in you. Period!” Doumbouya told Soccer 24.
There was an interesting situation too in 2000 where the Ivorian national team was held for three days in a military camp after being eliminated in the first round of the African Cup of Nations. The Elephants had packed down Ghana 2-0, managed a draw against Togo and slumped 3-0 to Cameroon – crashing out of the campaign.
The players, many on lucrative contracts with European clubs, were shown on state-controlled television being forced to conduct military marches and receiving lectures on discipline.
According to the BBC, they were then taken to the capital, Abidjan, for a dressing down from military dictator General Robert Guei.
“I asked that you be taken there so you could reflect a while. You behaved unworthily. You should have avoided us such shame,” General Guei was quoted as saying by the Fraternite Matin newspaper.
“Next time you will stay there for military service. You will be sent to the barracks until a sense of civic pride gets into your heads.”
Certainly, it is not a decent thing to do. It looks all-too weird and draconian. However, sometimes, one is tempted to believe that it is the way to go. Some of these players, paid at the expense of the tax payer; play as if there is absolutely nothing at stake, when millions of people have invested their hearts into them.
Once players decide to take to the pitch in national colours, they have got to prove their patriotism; they have got to give their all – otherwise, they have no business being there in the first place.
For sure, the Black Stars would not be subjected to any such ordeal if they do not annex this coronet. Nevertheless, they owe it a duty to exhibit a high standard of discipline, dedication, hardwork, whole-hearted commitment and valour on the field of play.
This is the only way the players can bring glory to the country and carve out a niche for themselves, too.
By John Vigah
Attention will be at the Golden City Park in Berekum tomorrow as Hearts of Oak lock horns with Berekum Chelsea FC in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 6 game that promises an electrifying atmosphere.
Lying sixth on the league table with two wins and three draws, the Phobians visit a ground that has been favourable to them in recent times. In their last three visits to the Golden City Park, Hearts have amassed seven out of nine points, putting them in strong contention to win.
Head Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says, “The team is making progress in its tactical identity despite the lack of goals, and this is something we are working on ahead of this game.”
Hearts will come face-to-face with former coach Samuel Boadu, whose side lies a distant 13th on the league table with a win and a draw from four games. Coach Boadu is yet to celebrate a victory over the Phobians since joining the Berekum lads and would hope this fixture marks a turnaround.
Ninth-placed Vision FC would trek to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem to play Bechem United, while new boys Hohoe United host Aduana FC at the Hohoe Sports Stadium.
Returnees Swedru All Blacks will welcome Basake Holy Stars to the Swedru Sports Stadium, with defending league champions Bibiani Gold Stars staying put at their backyard, the Dun’s Park, to welcome second-placed Heart of Lions FC on Monday.
Today at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa, Medeama SC will clash with Samartex FC in a Western derby. Other games scheduled for today would see Eleven Wonders FC host Karela United at the Swedru Sports Stadium, while Dreams FC face Nations FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
By Raymond Ackumey
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Ghana coach Otto Addo may not command the kind of fear and respect like Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and others in the modern game, but in his small corner, he is gradually climbing the ladder to greatness in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.
The aforementioned coaches attained greatness with club sides and, therefore, open an argument over whether one is not comparing apples to oranges. But no matter how one looks at it, they are all coaches harbouring similar ambitions to attain greatness in their fields.
Otto Addo is one of the young and upcoming coaches holding a lot of promise and was getting experience with his association with Borussia Dortmund in Germany until his path was directed by a Ghana call.
Although he was born in Germany, Otto Addo’s association with Ghana football dates back to 1999, spanning a period of about seven years; commencing with a 5–0 rout of Eritrea on February 28. He gained international prominence when he joined the squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations. He featured as a midfielder in the team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
But like it’s often said, a prophet is not recognised in his own home and his efforts partially went unnoticed. He’ll go into the annals as one of the Black Stars coaches to have been fairly or otherwise criticised not just by ‘football people’ but fans who doubted him.
His sack has been discussed at various platforms by people whose knowledge and tactical acumen about the game remains questionable. Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Adams, at one point openly stated his doubts over Otto Addo’s ability to actually deliver.
No coach would feel secured in such turbulent times, but coach Otto Addo kept his calm and composure. On the corridors of his employers, however, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku, openly rallied support for him, though a few ‘doubting Thomases’ still questioned his credentials.
That painted a picture of a people that forget easily and are quick to crucify. In a brief moment of adversity, Ghanaians forgot how Otto Addo was brought in to pluck qualification for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup from the jaws of the Super Eagles of Nigeria with a solitary goal over two legs.
The upshot of that feat was not one any Nigerian would want to remember. The scenes after the match were awfully chaotic, as fans vented their anger on facilities at the stadium. Back in Ghana, it was partying all night and day.
Otto Addo was labeled the football magician. He achieved something no Ghanaian coach had ever accomplished; a feat which Ghana with her all-time best teams could not attain. That was the climax to which Otto Addo took Ghana football, generating calls to start believing in the Ghanaian coach.
Following that to the World Cup proper was another story altogether. It was, or may have been, our poorest show at any of the four World Cup appearances. And just as it was stipulated in his contract, he bowed out after the Qatar World Cup to mind his Borussia Dortmund business with peace.
But as fate would have it, nature found a way to renew his romance with Ghana football after an unconvincing start to the America, Canada and Mexico dream World Cup under special advisor turned coach, Chris Hughton.
Ghana started the qualifiers on a winning note but not a convincing performance. It was saved by an Inaki Williams goal scored on the sixth minute of additional time against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The Black Stars then slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the Stade de Moroni to Comoros to heighten calls for a new technical direction.
Then stepped in Otto Addo when Ghana occupied the fourth position in Group I with three points but with the countries in the group evenly matched.
By Andrew Nortey
