By December, 2022, the nation’s senior national male soccer team, the Black Stars would have been prepared and ready to compete in the FIFA World 2022 in Qatar.
So, much attention is giving to the Stars, at the moment and in my opinion, if the preparation is not done well, we shall be also-runs as we did in 2014, in Brazil.
The Black Stars limped through the elimination series in the region, with not too good performance and by God’s grace and mercy, licked Nigeria to get one of Africa’s five tickets.
Most Ghanaians did not believe we could qualify for Qatar and some are still in dreamland that we truly made it. Preparation seems a bit shaky with the Stars not performing well in some important matches especially in Japan.
What is brewing out of the pot of confusion now, is the names of old players who are said to be invited to join the squad, with names like Sulley Muntali and Asamoah Gyan.
Surely these names were real gems some twenty years ago, especially in our first tour of the World Cup in 2006. But as at now, the players themselves would admit that they are on the downhill slide and even though their minds would be telling them they are in the best of shape, their bodies may not agree to that.
I will humbly advise these two fine gentlemen to quit when they are still regarded highly. There is this problem with most sports persons; they do not know when to quit and end up making a whole mess of themselves to tarnish their hard-earned reputation and image in the sports.
A typical example is found in Muhammed Ali. At almost 40, on December 11, 1981 he fought Trevor Berbick who was 27, and got beaten black and blue, performing in a way as never seen before.
In the case of these two great footballers, it would be a disaster if they played in Qatar and become the result of us losing important games. That would be their end in Ghana.
I am hoping the management of the Stars would give opportunity to fresh legs especially those who pulled us through the fiery qualification matches in Africa.
If even we do not get far in Qatar these new young players will get the experience, could pull wonders in 2028.
It is when exposed to a large crowd of spectators at the highest stage of the game, with the whole world watching, the dopamine hormones will create some excitement and happiness, while at same time the adrenaline hormones will be pumped into the blood to prepare them for “battle.”
At this stage, even a new and inexperienced player will play way beyond his capabilities to yield good results.
Once that is achieved this player will shine in all competitions for years until his body starts to give up.
Unfortunately, this is where the likes of Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari have gotten to. They can play top flight soccer in the local leagues but they cannot do what they are known to be capable of, in top flight highly competitive games.
England’s David Beckham retired from the English national team in 2009 at age 35 and from soccer at age 39. Thierry Henry quit the French National team in 2010 at age 32 and the sports at age 37 in 2014.
Asamoah will be 37 years by the time the FIFA World Cup in Qatar gets started.He last played in the national team in 2019, and in local league in 2021, when he played only five times for Legon Cities.
Sulley Muntari, who is 38, last played for the national team in 2014 and top flight soccer abroad in 2015. In 2022 he re-joined the local league and played for Accra Hearts of Oak, eleven times.
These players have lots of experience which could be useful when they are in the game, unfortunately, they do not have the legs to kick about as effectively as they are known for.
At these ages and occasional lay-offs, the brain will be directing very positively but the body will take a “safety-first decision” and say “No, No!” throughout the game. When this happens, it is disaster that will take the trophy.
One thing that has gone down in Ghana soccer today, at the local level, is the lack of enthusiasm in the games. Years gone by, one would go to the stadium and even if his team got beaten, he would come out very content because he had watched a good match.
These days, when home is a bit too uncomfortable for a good Sunday afternoon siesta, all one could do is to go the stadium on a match day, and he or she would have a good sound sleep all through the game.
Ghana Football Association must use every means possible to raise the local leagues to very competitive and international levels. GFA has lots to do and must do them now. It cannot always be relying on Ghanaians players abroad to always come down to play.
Make the local league tops and competitive and very good players will start coming up and positions in the national team will also be very competitive. No more automatic slots for some players, who later grow airs.
Hon. Daniel Dugan
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.
