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Yet another long
wait begins
By Richard Avornyotse - GNA Sports Desk
Accra, Feb. 8, Ghanadot/GNA - The dream was big.
Expectations were sky high. There was euphoria everywhere
and most Ghanaians were looking beyond Cameroon, their semi
final opponents. The focus was on the grand finale against
the winner of the other semi final match between Egypt and
Cote d'Ivoire.
Then the dream crashed; crushed by the Indomitable Lions of
Cameroon, who were underdogs by the reckoning of every
Ghanaian. There was sadness, total agony and melancholy by
the faithful fans of the Black Stars. Sorrow, grief, wailing
and gnashing of teeth at the missed opportunities that could
have kept the dream alive were commonplace.
Reality has dawned. Ghana has missed another chance to win a
fifth title to equal the collection of Egypt. The Egyptians
beat Cote d'Ivoire to get in line for an unprecedented sixth
title, while Cameroon could pick a fifth, depending on the
result when the two of them meet in the grand finale on
Sunday.
The Black Star, who set the record of four wins as far back
as 1982 in Libya, would have to wait for another opportunity
to get back into reckoning. Yet another long wait begins
after we have fluffed a golden prospect of mounting the
podium at home, after 26 years in oblivion.
There were problems. Yes, a catalogue of them; good reasons
to sooth the sinews of disappointed fans and raise hopes of
success as we hang around, waiting for another chance to be
crowned champions. Yet another long wait begins!
Inspirational skipper and 'StepApp' designer, Stephen Appiah
watched from the sidelines as a result of surgical
complications of a knee treatment. Laryea Kingston was not
fully fit and missed out on the Stars' lost match against
Cameroon, aggravating his injury minutes to kick off. Lead
striker, Asamoah Gyan was a pale shadow of himself and bowed
out to pressure and injury two matches into the
championship.
Stand in skipper and core central defender John Mensah
watched from the stands due to suspension from the previous
match and his back up, Shilla Illiasu, who was selected by
the coach, hoping he would recover early for the tournament
failed to do so, therefore compelling a tactical change on
the Ghanaian managers.
Paramount in the reshuffle was the shelving of Chelsea star,
Michael Essien from his midfield operations to a defensive
role, a move, which cut off supplies from the attackers and
made goal scoring very difficult for the Ghanaians.
Yet the Ghanaians went for bricks and constructed well with
the ball, keeping possession for long spells and drawing
cheers from the expectant crowd, who were, however, denied
the chance to burst the bubble with chants of GOOOOAL.
Despite their high level of commitment, despite their
bravery and determination, despite their artistry and
finesse, despite their patriotism and the zeal to bring
honour to mother Ghana, the Black Stars fell like a shooting
star due to a single mistake; failure of the back line to
regroup quickly.
The impact was huge. Ghanaian hearts sank. A nation's ego
was broken. High hopes were dashed and the soaring pride of
a people got punctured and deflated. Yet another long wait
begins.
Angola will be the next destination. The home of the
ever-improving Palancras Negras would be the next venue in
2010. Whether it would be a favourable terrain for the Black
Stars to get back into reckoning or not would be determined
by the preparations the country makes.
The GFA has posted a vote of confidence in coach Claude Le
Roy. That means he would be in charge of our preparations
during the qualifiers for Angola and the World Cup in South
Africa.
It is the fervent hope of every Ghanaian that the coach
would realize his mistakes, accept constructive criticism
and plot strategies that would save Ghanaians from the agony
and pain that they have just gone through.
Ghana has been living on past glory for far too long. The
country was the first to win four titles but have waited for
over 26 years without a trophy. By 2010 in Angola, it would
be 28 years in the doldrums.
As yet another long wait begins for the fifth title, the
country has left her destiny in the hands of Frenchman
Claude Le Roy and he must make a resolve to take us to the
Promised Land.
He has enough time to make his selections and craft tactics
that would make the Black Stars meet the aspirations of
Ghanaians. Ghana shall no longer accept a situation where
failure would be accepted and applauded by those overseeing
her football.
Le Roy must be given definite directives to win the cup in
Angola and qualify the Black Stars for the World Cup in
South Africa. There must be strings attached to his
contract. He must be seen to be more serious and articulate
in the discharge of his duties and must be called to order
if he wavered in his track.
It would also be appropriate to accord him the due respect
as the national coach. He must as a matter of civility
reciprocate such gestures.
Every Ghanaian has a right to demand an explanation from him
on tactics and team selection since it is the Ghanaian
taxpayer that has hired him.
Le Roy must end our long wait by delivering the title in
Angola.
The players have the capability to get to the summit of the
African game. They are young, committed and driven by an
unflinching spirit of patriotism. They enjoy the support of
the government and corporate Ghana. The masses are behind
them. Everything is favour of the team.
Ghana has the potential to wear the African crown once more.
And the ultimate would be achieved if Le Roy and his
colleagues, saddled with the technical responsibilities of
the team would raise their level of commitment, make the
right choices and plot the right strategies to prosecute the
Black Stars' agenda.
It is a national agenda that must be fulfilled. To win a
fifth title in Angola is a task that must be done. "Chooooooobo!
Yeeeeeei!"
GNA
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