Sports
To start or not to start…
The re-start of the German football league –Bundesliga – has inspired hope among countries whose leagues were grinded to a halt due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
After back-and-forth engagement with German authorities over an appropriate date to recommence, having suffered from the brutal effect of the virus as a country, the competition continued under special guidelines to ensure the disease was not spread.
But for the failure of Hertha Berlin players to adhere to celebration protocols in their 3-0 win over Hoffeinham on Monday, there was no hitch.
It has sent clear signals to other league around the world including Ghana that the ‘Project restart’ was possible.
In England and other places, teams have assembled for training to commence.
However, their activities will be closely monitored by the authorities to ensure that guidelines like the regular testing, social distancing and other protocols were observed.
In Ghana, however, the discussion is ongoing with no date in sight to resume as there appears to be a sharp division among stakeholders over when it was safe to do so.
With the restrictions on public/social gathering still in force despite easing the restrictions, the FA’s hands are tied over when the restrictions will be eased entirely to restart the games.
The situation becomes even gloomier with the upsurge of confirmed positive cases, leaving stakeholders in a state of despair and hopelessness.
Interestingly, apart from King Faisal’s bankroller, Alhaji Grusah who openly and fiercely oppose talk about a restart, clubs appear to have been very meticulous in their pronouncements on the matter; preferring the FA to lead the process to return.
This is the more reason why the FA must be proactive in the covid-19 era and work closely with the authorities to find ways to bring the game back.
Obviously the signs on the wall do not suggest covid-19 is leaving now as Ghana’s case keep soaring despite assurance of reaching its peak.
Instead of waiting for government to ease the restrictions fully, the FA could come out with reasonable ideas that can convince all and sundry that football could return.
It could mean undertaking mandatory tests for all players and officials at the elite level to know the number of cases just as was done in England, Spain and Italy. It should include match officials and other workers on a match day.
The outcome will put the FA in a position to know the rate of infection among the main actors.
If the rate is very low, it could progress with the next phase of getting clubs ready to start training but under the same guidance with positive cases getting isolated.
Obviously, the matches will be played without the fans; suggesting that media for the games must also undergo compulsory test to run commentaries and provide match reports.
Based on its progress at this stage, the FA could also adopt some of the practices in some countries that want to accept fans but should do so under strict social distancing rule.
Organisers of the games must also ensure water, soap, alcohol based sanitizers were provided at the venues for nose-mask wearing fans or any other match day worker.
These would surely come at some cost which will not be left on the shoulders of the FA alone; the clubs must support.
However, the readiness of the clubs to ensure all of the above will help answer the myth to start the league or not.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
Ghana football is facing a difficult moment as the Black Stars fight to avoid missing another Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. In the same vein, the Black Queens preparing for a major test in their bid to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
But at a time when both teams need serious attention, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed the Black Queens Head Coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, to lead the Black Stars on an interim basis for their crucial November AFCON qualifiers against Somalia.
The Swedish coach will work with Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram as assistant coaches, while former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda will handle the goalkeepers.
The decision has sparked debate among football followers, with some questioning why the Black Queens coach should take charge of the Black Stars when the women’s team also have an important tournament ahead.
Others believe the GFA has made the right decision by using a coach who already understands Ghanaian football and can work with experienced assistants to help the Black Stars recover.
For a country still disappointed by the Black Stars failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, the pressure is growing.
Ghana’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign has started badly with defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, leaving the team without a point in Group C.
The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire before suffering a 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. The results led to the departure of Carlos Queiroz and the search for a new technical direction.
The November matches against Somalia now offer Ghana a chance to recover. Another poor performance, however, could make the road to qualification even more difficult.
Some sports observers believe Björkegren should have been allowed to concentrate on the Black Queens, leaving Tanko and Attram to lead the Black Stars in the two matches against Somalia.
Their concern is that the women’s team could lose valuable attention at a time when it needs careful preparation for the World Cup play offs.
The Black Queens will take part in the preliminary stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 play-off tournament in Morocco from November 28 to December 5.
Ghana will face Ecuador, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea as it seeks to move closer to securing a place at the World Cup in Brazil.
The team has already taken an important step by beating Côte d’Ivoire in the continental play off to secure a place in the intercontinental tournament.
However, the Queens still have a difficult task ahead and their preparation will be important if they are to achieve their World Cup dream.
Those who disagree with the criticism of Björkegren’s appointment argue that the coach can manage the temporary assignment with the support of Tanko and Attram.
They believe his experience with the national teams could help the Black Stars while the existing technical structure could help maintain preparations for the Black Queens.
The GFA has defended its decision. Its Communications Director, Henry Asante Twum, has explained that the appointment was made after considering the coaches already working within Ghana’s football system and the need to find an interim solution.
The association has also said both national teams will receive the technical and operational support needed to prepare for their respective competitions.
The big question is whether the arrangements will work in practice especially if both teams need the coach’s attention at the same time.
Beyond the coaching debate, another question continues to trouble Ghanaian football lovers; are the Black Stars struggling because of the players, the coaches or problems within the football system?
The two opening defeats exposed weaknesses in the team’s defence, organisation and ability to respond when matches become difficult.
These problems cannot automatically be blamed on one coach. The players must also accept responsibility for their performances on the pitch.
At the same time, frequent changes in technical leadership can make it difficult for a team to develop a clear playing style and build confidence.
When coaches are changed repeatedly, new technical teams often have limited time to understand the players, introduce their ideas and prepare for important matches.
Tanko’s experience in Ghana football and Attram’s involvement in the national team setup could help the Black Stars during this difficult period but their work will ultimately be judged by the team’s performances against Somalia.
The players too must turn their individual ability into strong team performances. Ghana cannot depend on reputation alone to secure qualification.
The GFA must also examine whether its approach to coaching appointments and long term planning is helping the national teams achieve their goals.
The current situation is a test of the GFA’s ability to manage two important national assignments at the same time.
The Black Stars need to recover from their poor start and keep their AFCON hopes alive. The Black Queens, meanwhile, need proper preparation to continue their journey towards the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The women’s team should not be treated as less important simply because the Black Stars attract greater public attention.
Björkegren’s work with the Black Queens, including Ghana’s bronze medal finish at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has helped build expectations around the team.
Their progress into the World Cup play offs has given supporters another reason to believe they can reach the global competition.
The GFA must therefore make sure the temporary appointment does not affect the Queens’ training, tactical preparation or analysis of their opponents.
In the end, the success of the decision will depend on results. The Black Stars must earn the points needed to revive their qualification hopes, while the Black Queens must prepare well for their matches in Morocco.
Ghana’s football problems may not be caused by players or coaches alone. They may also reflect the need for more stable technical leadership, better preparation and stronger planning by football administrators.
For now, the GFA has made its choice. The coming matches will show whether the decision was the right one or whether the country has taken a risk at a time when both national teams have so much to play for.
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Accra Hearts of Oak will aim to assume the top spot of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) when they travel to Tema to face Vision FC at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex today.
Perched at the second spot and trailing leaders Medeama with three points, the Phobians would need to snatch the maximum points and a superior goal aggregate to have a taste of the top spot, at least for a day.
It will be a game full of fireworks considering Hearts’ impressive performance on the road against Vision’s strength at home.
The Matchday 6 games would also witness a Saturday clash between Heart of Lions and Berekum Chelsea FC at the Kpando Stadium.
Asante Kotoko’s home clash against Young Apostles will headline tomorrow’s games as they aim to bounce back after the previous week’s defeat in Swedru.
At the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, FC Samartex will test Medeama SC’s character when they clash in what could affect their respective positions on the table after the round seven matches.
After the giant-killing feat over Asante Kotoko, Swedru All Blacks will lock horns with Karela United at the Swedru Stadium just as Basake Holy Stars engage Bechem United at the AAK II Sports Arena,
Fireworks is anticipated at the Debibi Presby Park in the Bono region where Debibi United FC look poised to face Gold Stars.
At the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park, Aduana FC will welcome FC Ashantigold in a clash that will see fans applaud afternoon.
By Andrew Nortey
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