Andre-Ayew

 Wearing a national team jersey is a footballer or by extension, any sports athlete’s biggest moment of pride.

The message is clear when footballers appear on the field of play dressed immaculately in the attire of the national team – they are the best among the lot.

There can’t be any greater gratification than that; and it is the height every footballer of athlete aim to attain.

At international podiums where players or athletes line-up for national anthems of their countries to be played, one sees the emotions of such players which sometimes transcends to the over 40,000 ‘mouth mouth’ coaches gathered to not just enjoy a beautiful game of football but also analyse and judge what players and coaches are not getting well.

The pinnacle of this passion can be observed in the players’ facial expression and their own rendition of the anthems.

It even makes the fan momentarily think he is also a footballer and often seen jog or run around after the anthem.

After these pre-match formalities, fans occupy their seats and begin to enjoy their popcorns, ‘Suya’ and ‘khebabs’ with other accompaniments.

However, that marks the beginning of 90 minutes of intense action for the players with a huge weight of expectation to deliver.

Many a time, this weight of expectation on the players is usually downplayed by the fans who feels winning games at all cost is a right.

And, especially in the case of Ghana which is considered a powerhouse, wins must even come in a certain way.

Having become acquainted with dominant performances ending with cricket scores, especially against continental minnows, a narrow win like 1-0 or 2-1 is considered unacceptable.

But a recent interview granted by Black Stars skipper, Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew in France has brought to the fore the effects of those high expectation on the players who wear the national team jerseys.

In the reported interview with Canal+, he highlighted the gravity of being part of the Black Stars team and tagged the Ghanaian jersey as a ‘heavy one.’

Ayew may be right on this assertion and could even be something previous captains have stayed with over the years but never mustered the courage to spew them out.

But in building a strong formidable team capable of meeting the expectation of the fans, it is important to have a group of players who can overcome the ‘weight’ that comes with wearing the national team jersey.

Pressure with national teams are not only associated with the Black Stars. It is a global concern among players which interestingly or fortunately doesn’t affect their interest in donning the ‘heavy’ jersey.

Demanding positive results from national teams is not a bad practice and fans would not change their stance on that.

However, like Ayew indicated in the interview, “The players must get used to it by understanding what it means to wear this jersey, which means a lot to millions of people. The jersey is ‘very heavy’ to wear and you need to have broad shoulders. I know we will bounce back. We are going through a bad time but we will get through this, I am sure.”

Perhaps, as the Black Stars get ready to commence qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the back of their poor showing at the 2023 AFCON, this expectation of fans and the ability to overcome it will keep ringing in their ears to remind the huge responsibility on their shoulders.

 By Andrew Nortey