GFA News Conference On The Botched World Cup Campaign

COMMENTARY ON THE NEWS CONFERENCE BY THE GFA ON THE BOTCHED WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN 
                      
A popular hit song in early 1990s played by one Republic had the lyrics, its too late, too late to say that you are sorry after you broken my poor heart.  The song  aptly reflects the feelings of Ghanaians after yesterday's news conference by the GFA to brief Ghanaians on the Black Stars' botched World Cup campaign.  

Even though the President of the GFA, Kwesi Nyantakyi and the management team apologised on behalf of the team for their abysmal performance at the tournament, the body language of Mr. Nyantekyi was not apologetic.  He simply downplayed the mood of the nation and displayed sheer arrogance.  To him, those who want his stay are more than those who want his back.  In this era of probity and accountability,  the news conference fell short of what most Ghanaians wanted to be told.  

Some analysts believe questions posed by journalists were not probing enough as they were limited to a question each. At the end of it all, there were more questions than answers. This makes it imperative for President Mahama to go ahead and institute a probe into the Black Stars' failure now that the minority in Parliament and the GFA itself have expressed support for such an investigation.  Through that, the side of the players could also be heard.  

It is unfortunate the sports Ministry is turning out to be the Achiles heels of most governments.  

The mafia at the Ministry are still prevalent as no Minister has served the full tenure perhaps Mr. E.T. Mensah.  

From the look of things the two Sunday borns Kwesi Nyantakyi and Kwasi Appiah have outlived  their usefulness and must leave the scene.  Also it is time to overhaul the Black Stars.  

There should be a hurt for new talents to replace the old guards who are almost at the twilight of their career for nothing last forever.  What is obvious is that the Black Stars need high quality players to succeed at the pinnacle of football.   

Kwesi Appiah to take a cue form what better mangers and better prepared teams at the World Cup had done.  It is on record that  closed to a dozen coaches have resigned following  their defeat  and Ghana cannot be an exception.  

In the world of football, you either deliver or are delivered.  There is no middle path.  The fact that the FA had since 2006 sent cash to pay players appearance fees and bonuses does not mean it is the right thing to do.   

We must discourage this reckless practice.  Nobody should blame government for bowing to the pressure of the FA to sen the money after all government was only eager to avert a possible boycott of the match with Portugal which could have brought a bigger disgrace and earned a sanction by FIFA .  

It is about time Ghana reconsidered sponsoring supporters to the World Cup and other International tournaments in the future.  During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Ghanaians supporters had to be prematurely returned home due to poor organisation and alleged misbehaviour in their camps.  

This time round again, complaints about poor organisation and travel arrangements for sponsored supporters are rife.  

Kwesi Appiah and Kwesi Nyantekyi have done their bits and must bow out before they are kicked out.  As at now good will they had, has died down. Team Ghana is a national enterprise and not for a few  individuals.  

Our showing at Brazil 2014 has been very costly and government must take steps to redeem the nations image.  We must  never say die until the bones are rotten.

Appiah to take a cue from what better managers and better prepared teams at the World Cup had done. It is on record that close to a dozen coaches have resigned following their defeat and Ghana cannot be an exception. 

In the World of football, you either deliver or are  delivered.There is no middle path. 

The fact that the FA had since 2006 sent cash to pay players appearance fees and bonuses does not mean it is right thing to do. We must discourage this reckless  practice. 

Nobody should blame government  for bowing to pressure of the FA to send the money after all government  was only eager to avert a possible  boycott of the match with Portugal which could have brought a bigger disgrace and earned a sanction by FIFA it is about time Ghana reconsidered sponsoring supporters  to the World Cup and other  International Tournaments in the future. 

During the 2010 World Cup in South hunt for new talents to replace the old guards who are almost at the twilight of their careers for nothing lasts forever. 

What is obvious  is that the Black Stars need high quality players to succeed at the pinnacle of football. What is needed are managers who can control the dressing room dealing with player ego and instill discipline in camp. 

It does appear from what we are hearing that indiscipline was one of the main causes of Ghana's failure in Brazil and the buck stops with the FIFA, Nyatakyi and his team cannot escape blame. The most noble and respectable  thing for Nyantakyi and his team to do at this point  itime is to hand over to more competent people. 

BY JUSTICE MINGLE,A JOURNALIST