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
From June 2004 to the latter parts of 2005, when Ghana secured qualification to her first senior FIFA World Cup, it generated an unending party mood among soccer enthusiasts.
Visualising dicey clashes with some of the world heavyweights, delight, high expectation, anxiety, and glee had the better part of fans. The fans cared less about which set of players constituted the team for the Germany 2006 showpiece. All that mattered was how the Black Stars coped at the highest stage of association football.
Maybe, realising that the constitution of the team was the preserve of the Head Coach, his Technical Team, and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), fans only cared about the entertainment aspect of it. All over the streets in the country, replica jerseys of the Black Stars became the most sought-after commodity, with fans paying a lot of Cedis to lay a hand on one.
Twenty years down the line, the desire to play at that level of football still appeals to football lovers; so when the Black Stars sealed its fifth qualification about a month ago, fans showed that excitement. The next edition is easily referred to as the ‘America, Canada, Mexico dream’ World Cup. The desire to be part of it is even greater than the maiden edition—for reasons unknown.
But unlike previous editions, fans have shown a lot more concern about personnel selected to don the national jersey this time, especially after speculation about an intent to get some new players to strengthen the squad. The names of Nottingham Forest winger Hudson Odoi and Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah have been on the lips of many for this reason. They are alleged to be the next set of players to be included in the team for the showpiece, in a bid to strengthen the squad.
This is not a new practice with the Ghana team. In fact, it is very common with national teams across the globe. As recently as last Friday, DR Congo announced a team for the impending World Cup play-off, including as many as three Belgian under-21 internationals in a 25-man squad.
The Belgian trio are attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens, who at 21 has already captained Brussels giants Anderlecht; winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Celtic in Scotland; and Standard Liège goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo, who only last month sat on the bench for Belgium’s under-21.
Prior to the latest addition, players like Brian Cipenga from Spanish club Castellón had joined the Leopards squad only last month for the final World Cup group qualifiers as a late injury replacement. The FA of DR Congo is also in support of any intention by Coach Sébastien Desabre to cast his net over a wider array of talent.
Ghana’s case is not so different. It started with the current coach of the team, Otto Addo, who joined in the latter stages of qualifiers to the Germany World Cup. The next edition was the ‘African World Cup’ hosted by South Africa in 2010. That period witnessed the inclusion of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, two Ghanaian players of German and Netherlands ancestry.
Adam Kwarasey may have also played a role in the journey to the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, but he was obviously a fresh face in the squad. Then came the Qatar edition in 2022, which saw the Black Stars’ door opened to players such as Tariq Lamptey, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salifu, Dennis Odoi, Alexander Djiku, and Antoine Semenyo. Although they were new faces, most of them participated in qualifiers.
That explains the apprehension regarding the alleged attempts to add Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi to the squad. As Head Coach, Otto Addo is free to make decisions on a purely tactical basis. Others have objected on moral grounds, arguing that it is important to reward committed and dedicated players who travelled all around the continent for the qualifiers.
But to think that when these two appeared to be at the peak of their careers there was no interest to feature for the Black Stars, one is then forced to ask: why the sudden interest now, if indeed there is an interest?
By Andrew Nortey
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The 50th Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards is set to sparkle as award-winning Afropop icon, Stonebwoy, joins the celebration as the headline act.
The half-century milestone confirms an unprecedented union of sporting excellence and explosive musical entertainment, promising an atmosphere of unbridled excitement.
Stonebwoy, one of Ghana’s most celebrated global icons, masterfully blends reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeats to deliver performances that are both culturally vibrant and deeply soulful.
His career trajectory, marked by relentless drive, international collaborations, and numerous accolades, mirrors the dedication and success of the sportsmen and women being honored.
As a prominent cultural ambassador for Ghana, the leader of Bhim Nation brings a massive platform and an infectious energy capable of uniting the diverse attendees—from decorated former champions to current record-breakers and respected dignitaries.
The Golden Jubilee SWAG Awards aim to celebrate outstanding athletes, honor the legacy of past legends, and inspire the next generation of sporting stars. This context makes Stonebwoy’s role particularly crucial, as he will provide the soundtrack to triumph—a vibrant, modern score that reflects the high aspirations of the nation.
The two-time TGMA Artist of the Year is expected to be the capstone event dedicated to five decades of sporting glory, leaving an indelible mark on the memories of all patrons.
By combining the gravitas of Ghana’s most prestigious sports awards with the magnetic charisma of one of Africa’s biggest musical exports, the Golden Jubilee SWAG Awards are set to become a historical convergence point.
The SWAG is grateful to GCB Bank, National Petroleum Authority, Stanbic Bank, Ghana Free Zones Authority, OmniBSIC Bank, SIC Insurance, Lufart, Goldbod, KGL, Phoenix Insurance, among others.
–GNA
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