Sports
Black Stars, a team in crisis
• GFA President, Kurt Okraku and sacked Black Stars coach, Chris Hughton have been criticised in several quarters for the Stars woeful performance
Against Egypt in the second game, the script was similar to what was enacted against Gabon in the previous edition. This time, the Black Stars aided the Pharaohs to stay relevant in the tournament after unpardonable errors cancelled out Kudus Mohammed’s effort.
That put us in a very difficult situation; needing to beat a less fancied Mozambiquan Mambas.
Once again, the gods of football listened to our players and awarded the Black Stars two penalties which were expertly converted by Jordan Ayew.
But late in the game, the new Black Stars’ spirit of disappointment was invoked and the goals started raining for the Mambas who bit with precision to render the Black Stars numbed and traumatised.
When everything pointed to a win at last, second-half substitute and skipper, Andre Ayew accidentally handled the ball in the goal area, an incident the match referee with an eagle eye for such infringements, noted very fast and pointed to the spot.
The resultant kick provided a way back into the game for the Mambas who pressed further, perchance knowing that these were not the calibre of Ghanaian players their great grandfathers feared.
Indeed, the efforts were rewarded by a disorganised Ghana goalkeeper, Richard Ofori, whose decision can best be explained by himself.
From a resultant corner kick, Atletico Madrid defender, Renildo headed an important equalizer to also earn their second point from the tournament as they head home as warriors, having drawn with African warriors on paper, Egypt and Ghana.
The latest displeasure and heartbreak have hit Ghanaian fans so hard and could make the fans return to the stands a very tough decision to take.
Considering what the players put up on the field of play, sincerely, it will be difficult to insinuate they were not committed to the team’s course.
From the coaches, players, administrators and whoever played a role, the ambition from the day one has been to win the trophy to return to the AFCON honours list.
I have not come across a coach and set of players that would be prepared for a competition of such magnitude and would intentionally blow that opportunity. It is the reason Jordan Ayew’s claim that the team was fully committed is acceptable.
Maybe, what we lacked was the quality to drive the team forward no matter the size of the opposition to grind out the result.
In the game against Cape Verde, It was obvious the team struggled as the three departments – defence, midfield and attack. We had a defence that was always stretched; a midfield that failed to create chances for the attackers who could not record enough touches in the opposition goal area.
Football is team work so it is usually not proper to single out a particular player for praise but it is also almost impossible not to write about the impact of Kudus Mohammed on the second game.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
GFA, SWAG discuss devt of Ghana football
The Ghana Football Association, led by its President, Mr Kurt Okraku, has called on the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) as part of efforts to strengthen the corporate bond between the two institutions.
The delegation, made up of some executive members and regional football heads, were warmly received by the leadership of SWAG.
Mr Okraku in his speech said the visit was key following the new path the GFA was taking to revive the football fraternity, and to officially present himself after being elected as an Executive Member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
He stated that SWAG, with over 1,000 members, had been at the forefront in promoting Ghana sports, hence the need to work together in achieving its target.
The President urged the leadership of SWAG to continue its task of ensuring members keep some level of credibility and fairness during their reportage.
He said adequate preparations had been made to ensure the Black Stars put up a good show in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.
“We’ve spoken to the team, and they have assured us they are ready for the game.” Stephen Appiah, who is the Vice Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee has confirmed, adding that “Otto Addo and the rest of the team have also assured wins in the two games.”
Responding, Mr Kwabena Yeboah, President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, thanked the delegation for the long-lasting relationship with SWAG which he described as being fruitful.
“We have one agenda and that is to develop football. Even Though we have not fared well in recent times, I believe the football association still has some plans laid down and that is what we are seeing today,” he noted.
He congratulated Mr Kurt Okraku on his new role as an executive member of CAF, reiterating his hard work over the years.
The GFA President’s election to the CAF Executive Committee comes as recognition of his remarkable leadership, serving as the sixth Ghanaian to achieve that height.
He said despite this success; the poor performance of the Black Stars had written off the good works of his administration as President of the football body.
Mr Kwabena Yeboah assured the Ghana Football Association of SWAG’s commitment to keep high level professionalism in its dealings.
He thanked the delegation and urged them to call on the association for help anytime.
Sports
Okraku’s rise to CAF ExCo
The rise of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, may come as a sucker punch to many of his critics in Ghana especially.
For those critics, nothing good can be identified with his administration. It has been stretched to the extent that any negative occurrence in the game is quickly attributed to him or his administration.
In fact, Kurt Okraku’s name in some quarters has become the definition of any negative occurrence in the game in Ghana.
However, it beats the imagination of all how such a person, who is often the most criticised, maybe apart from government officials, continue to earn international recognition.
The Black Stars have failed to shine; climaxing that catastrophe with a failure to qualify for the next edition of AFCON. The other national teams have all struggled under him.
For this reason he has been chastised.
But in the face of these failures, Kurt Okraku was elevated to an Executive Member position at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at its congress held recently.
One would then ask the obvious question whether it is the case of a dislike for him that has shrouded the efforts he is putting in to develop the game in Ghana.
In a rare encounter with him recently, one of the questions I asked was why is he criticised on daily basis for the work he’s doing?
But his response was quite instructive.
Drawing an analogy from good old book – Bible, he practically preached to me about the story of the Lord Jesus Christ who was not accepted in his own home but was accepted outside his jurisdiction.
“My brother, I have no idea why people criticise me that much. They may have their reasons for doing that but I look beyond them. Even our Lord Jesus was despised by his own people. I am focused on doing the best for Ghana football. Maybe, if I don’t get the recognition today, a future generation may recognise my effort,” he said.
He may be true in a certain sense. Many times, people do not treasure the good things they have until they lose it. This is very common in many facets of life.
Irrespective of where one stands, his elevation to the high office of a CAF Executive Member is one Ghanaians cannot intentionally ignore.
Mr Okraku is the sixth Ghanaian to be occupying that office and faces the challenges of keeping the flag of Ghana high and improve the image built for the country by his predecessors.
Perhaps the efforts at the WAFU Zone ‘B’ level were so minute that it escaped the lenses of his critics but obviously, a top post at CAF is too big to be ignored.
He deserves the commendations of every Ghanaian. What he needs is the support of all but that is not to suggest that he has grown about criticism. Ayekoo Mr Okraku!
By Andrew Nortey
