In the saga of Black Stars returnees Muntari, KPB and the Ayews,
Ghana seem to have an urge over stubborn rivals Zambia who have proven some
level of confidence over the Black Stars in their last two meetings.
With such quality
players all available for selection for Coach Akwesi Appiah, many has thought it
a headache for the manager as to who he picks to make the final squad to World
Cup after he succeeds in his last two qualifiers that ensures his ticket to
make Brazil.
By way of order, Sulley Muntari
is the senior most player amongst the returnees followed by Andre Ayew then KP
with Jordan following suit.
Muntari was made to apologize
on the issue of disrespect shown to the Coach in front of young players due to
his substitution in the 64thminutes of the return leg game against Lesotho.
Many have read meanings
into his latter decision to apologize since the known egotistical player stood
his grounds not to apologize even after the incident.
The player might have
thought of his possible exclusion from the 2014 World Cup squad if he had failed
to render that unqualified apology to the Coach and the GFA as he was seriously
eyeing his third successive World Cup after his appearance in the 2006 and 2010
World Cups respectively.
Then again the influence
of some good people around him, this time not his mother, who believed in the
“No Sulley No Black Stars” quote but rather his Philanthropic wife Menaye
Muntari to be the brain behind his issuing the apology because as said by the
FA spokes person Sannie Daara on Joy FM, Muntari was given a choice to either apologize
or have no place in the team no matter the circumstance.
Issues concerning player
egos came to play as many thought the local coach is being undermined by these
foreign based players and that’s exactly
what Muntari was apply to Akwesi Appiah.
Though this is a valid
point to the situation under discussion, Muntari may not be guilty of that as
he did worse to expatriate Coach Milovan Rajevac.
However, to set a good
precedent as a senior member to the young players he finally did apologize and
his case was closed.
The Ayews also thought
it wise at this crucial moment to officially write back to end their temporary
retirement from the Black Stars due to a similar Muntari incident that occurred
between Coach Akwesi Appiah and Andre Ayew which resulted in his alleged bone
of contention with the GFA officials as cited by him after he had also been forced
to apologize to the Coach in a dressing room in Malawi but refused.
Jordan also upon his
exclusion in a qualifier also called for a temporary break to work on his form to
ensure he books an automatic place in the first eleven positions in the Black
Stars which he was denied towards the last Nations Cup in South Africa.
Now they are back with
an official announcement of their availability for a national team call up to play
for their country.
A ready Andre Ayew tweet
on August 23rd says “I am back for my country!!!I thank every
Ghanaian for supporting me during this few months. Am ready to die for Ghana as
always”.
Though there have been
divided opinions as to whether his Excellency President Mahama did right by
intervening in the talks to bring the Ayew brothers back to action for their
national team, it seems scores are gradually being settled over the boys and
their decision to temporarily retire.
The currently most
controversial return made to the Black Stars team is that of German born Kevin
Prince Boateng after his retirement three years ago.
Quiet surprisingly, with
just a year to the 2014 World Cup, his passionate wish to retire from
international football and concentrate on his club football suddenly dies down
and he makes a U-turn to the team he deserted barely few months after the 2010
World Cup.
To those who are
intervening and pushing for the return of Kevin Boateng, what happened to the
reasons he gave when he wrote to resign from international football?
He was of the view that
combining both club and international football was taking a toll on his health
and that he wishes to retire from the national team in order to concentrate on
his club football.
Now that he has decided
to join international football again, is his health not at risk anymore or did
a miracle happen to take that load off him and so now he is free?
Maybe the Black Stars
wind of hope in clinching another World Cup slot has boosted his energy level
to be able to combine both club and international football this time around.
In the midst of all
these controversies no matter what one says or write, the GFA deems it right
and have welcome all the players back to the National team.
Great move…..but let’s
not forget the precedents being set for up and coming players.
We must take a cue from
what happened in Ghana’s Athletics domain when the good old Ignacious Gaisah
had to naturalize for another country and win laurels for them in the next
available championship when the country had no representative in Moscow to
fight for her course.
Another question then
pops up as to who plays the qualifiers for whom to feature in the tournaments?
Officials must observe
these issues with a lot of care and concern to upcoming players in the country
because a time will come when Ghanaian players will be forced to naturalize for
other countries because they are not treated fairly by their own country.
Until we miss the last
slot in any tournament, let those who are prepared to die for the country play and
those who play within their own convenient times go.
It is obvious that for a
country that has well respected world recognition as a football power house, we
have become fond of begging players to play for us even when they seem not
willing to do so.
The national team is
gradually becoming an opportunity platform for players who find their way into
it and something must be done to save this situation.
