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Gyan Azonto 27.01.12

In as much as I welcome constructive criticism(s) as a politician, I must admit that some of these criticisms are doing my head-in because of their irritating nature. Though I am not in any relation with the Black Stars’ leading striker Asamoah Gyan, I feel the need to come to his defence with the view to showing Gyan that he is not alone. In spite of the many who might not like him just because he has missed two crucial penalty kicks in the national team, there are millions out there who admire and see him as our role model. Criticism, according to Frank Clark, is like rain, it should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his root. We will therefore be doing a great disservice to our motherland if we fail to factor Frank’s advice in our criticisms of the Black Stars in general and Asamoah Gyan in particular. This is because such destructive criticisms could dampen players’ spirits, ruin their football careers, and also deter potential good footballers from playing for the national teams.

It is a fact that Asamoah Gyan is what he is today because of the opportunity given him by the nation. However, as a Ghanaian, Gyan is also entitled to any goodies that Mother Ghana has for her children. It is in the light of this that I caution a section of the public of their utterances against the Black Stars, especially Prince Tagoe and Asamoah Gyan. As somebody put it, words can make and unmake our future and therefore we should be careful in the choice of words as we share our opinions on the performance of Black Stars in the recent tournament. Every football fan should by now understand that there are three major things in a football match, that is, win, lose, and draw. Besides, in a tournament like AFCON 2012 where 16 teams were involved, there could only be one winner.
Personally, I don’t think the Black Stars and its technical handlers went to this tournament with the view to occupying the 4th position. The aim was to beat every team to clinch the 1st position (win the tournament) to make Ghanaians happy. Similarly, Gyan who hitherto had carried the senior national team on his shoulders single-handed did not intentionally miss the penalty. I remember how the sporting public received the bad news that Gyan might miss the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament because of the injury he picked in a football match at the club level. But against all odds, his doctors worked behind the clock to ensure that Gyan was available for the tourney. In the tournament itself, Gyan’s commitment was not in doubt even though he was half-fit. We were all witnesses to his courage and skills at the tournament and his penalty miss in the 9th minute of the Ghana – Zambia semi-final match cannot be used as a weapon to vilify and crucify him. That to me will be unfair on our part.
In fact, I admire Gyan for his courage and if 10% of Ghanaians could possess and use Gyan’s courage in their fields of endeavour, this country could be a better place than we find ourselves today. In football and in life, we need courageous people like Gyan, people who can take and bear risks at crucial times. Why do you think Gyan took the penalty and not any other player? Was it the case of one-eyed man in the city of the blind? Well, if a penalty miss should make a player unpatriotic, then renowned players like Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, and Didier Drogba would have retired from active football long time ago. Who doesn’t know that Roberto Baggio, Pele, Platini, Maradona, and Zidane all missed crucial penalties in their playing times? These examples seriously reveal the uncertainties in penalty kicks and therefore Asamoah Gyan should rather be commended for his boldness in taking the penalty kick and not be condemned as such.
My observation from all the Black Stars’ matches prior to the semi-final match was that the Stars were not playing an entertaining football. Though the Black Stars produced the needed results to remain on top their group, the Ghanaian football public was against their style of play, especially when they realised the team was struggling to win matches. But the question is; did the opposing teams come to the tournament to entertain the spectators or did they also come to win the cup? It will be out of order if Ghanaians fail to show respect and give credit to the other participating teams who prepared better than us. The Black Stars inability to reach the final could be attributed to many factors but I could see that the team kowtowed to the demand of ‘24 million Ghanaian coaches’ to play an entertaining football against the Zambians. The end result was that the Black Stars lost the all important match by a lone goal, though the team played one of the best games in recent times.
The Black Stars dominated the game against the Zambians right from the start to the end. The defence was good and the midfield marshalled by Derick Boateng was excellent. The attack was not all that bad but the overreliance of Gyan as a lone striker was not the best. This is because any football team that has a defender score two important goals in three matches as against the strikers should expose the team’s weakness in the attacking machinery. Defender Samuel Inkoom, who hitherto played a marvellous game was not at his best on many occasions, especially when he joined the attack with his incisive crossings. The left flank was not kicking because both Addy and Jordan were not natural left wingers, though that should not be an excuse. Striker Asamoah Gyan was always sandwiched by two or three Zambian defenders because they saw Gyan as a threat. Unfortunately, Kwadwo Asamoah who had a free role as a 2nd striker could not direct any of his numerous powerful shots into the net. Why then blame Gyan for not converting a penalty? What about if the penalty was not awarded to the Stars and how could we argue that the 9th minute penalty could decide the game?
Admittedly, the Black Stars’ coach made an unpardonable mistake by his substitutions. Why pull out two most glamorous players of a team which was a goal down, and knowing very well the midfield general Derick Boateng had also been shown the red card? I believe the penalty miss could have served as a motivator for Asamoah Gyan to score at least a goal to atone for his mistake. Though the Black Stars did their best, their best was not enough to bring the cup home. For the team to chalk success in next year’s tournament in South Africa, I suggest among the following;
• The services of two competent local coaches should be sought and be paid well.
• The selection of the players should be transparent and should be based on performance and commitment.
• There should be adequate preparation for the team before the tournament.
• Tactical discipline and unity should be enforced in all our matches.
• The players should make use of set pieces in every game and they should also avoid committing unnecessary fouls to attract cards.
• There should not be any political interference but the players should be motivated enough to give off their best. Remember, the Black Stars players complained bitterly about their winning bonuses right after the 2010 World Cup tournament though the Ghana government received $14million.
• The support from the public should be massive even in the event of a very tough game as name calling will only dampen the spirits of the players.
On the whole, I think Ghana was destined to come home empty-handed in this particular tournament. Judging from the statements and pronouncements made by politicians such as Yaw Boateng Gyan, the National Organiser of the NDC who doubles as a Presidential Staffer, and Koku Anyidohu, the Communications Director at the Presidency, one could only come into the conclusion the NDC had planned to use the Black Stars’ achievement for election 2012. The Almighty God didn’t want that to happen because of our love for the sport. Football still remains our unifying weapon and as such patriotic Ghanaians have been resolute to delink this particular sport from politics. If that was not the case, why would the electorate vote the Kufuor-led NPP administration out of power in 2008? A party that had built 2 new sports stadia (Essipong and Tamale), upgraded 2 old ones (Ohene Djan & Baba Yara stadia), started the Cape Coast stadium, sent Ghana to her maiden World Cup in Germany 2006, hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2008 and won a bronze medal. Let’s see our national team players as fellow human beings who make mistakes and motivate them to produce results. Asamoah Gyan, never lose hope for we are solidly behind you!

God bless Ghana! God bless the Black Stars!! God bless Kufuor!!!

Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, Hull. UK. 07944309859

“Vision, coupled with persistency, results in true success”
Official blog: (www.katakyie.com) katakyienpp@yahoo.co.uk

Adiyiah 240

Ghana striker Dominic Adiyiah has joined Ukrainian giants Arsenal Kiev on a six-month loan deal.

His parent club AC Milan cancelled his one-year loan move with Turkish lower side Kars?yaka after the first half of the season over unpaid wages and lack of playing time.

The 21-year-old has scored three times in four pre-season friendly games for the Kiev-based side.

“After failing to make the Black Stars squad for the Nations Cup, Milan decided there is no need to stay with Kars?yaka so I left them in January,” he told Accra-based Oman FM.

Adiyiah he will tee-up his former Ghana U20 teammate Abeiku Quansah who joined the club from French side OG Nice last year.

The former Fifa Under-20 World Cup Most Valuable Player signed for Serie A giants AC Milan in 2009 but failed to make an official appearance for the club.

John Terry will not retire from international football despite losing the England captaincy, BBC Sport understands.

The Football Association informed the Chelsea defender, 31, he was losing the armband on Friday.

Terry is due to stand trial in July over racial abuse allegations after an incident with QPR’s Anton Ferdinand.

But sources close to Terry have told the BBC he is not considering his international future.

England coach Fabio Capello has revealed his disappointment at the decision to remove Terry from his role ahead of the European Championships in the summer.

Terry maintains his innocence over the allegations regarding the incident during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat at Loftus Road in October.

It is the second time Terry has had the position taken from him.

Did you know?
John Terry played seven of England’s 12 internationals between losing the captaincy in 2010 and regaining the armband in 2011

Two years ago he suffered the same fate following allegations he had an affair with an England team-mate’s ex-girlfriend.

At the time he claimed he “fully respected” Capello’s decision and would “continue to give everything for England”.

He subsequently played all four of England’s matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and was then reinstated as England captain in March last year due to Capello’s concerns about Rio Ferdinand’s fitness.

After returning to Terry 11 months ago, Capello said: “John, when he played without the armband, was everytime a leader on the pitch, a leader in the dressing room.

“Always he is the same. He is a player that is himself a leader. This is really important. He is the biggest personality in the dressing room.”

Terry, who was first appointed captain by Steve McClaren in 2006, has won 72 England caps.

Euro 2012 would be his fourth major tournament with the international team.

England coach Fabio Capello says he disagrees with the Football Association’s decision to strip John Terry of the national team’s captaincy.

Terry, 31, was removed as captain pending his trial in July over alleged racial abuse of QPR’s Anton Ferdinand.

Capello told Italy’s state broadcaster RAI he “absolutely” does not agree with FA chairman David Bernstein’s decision.

“I thought it was right that Terry should keep the captain’s armband,” said the 65-year-old Italian.

“I have spoken to the [FA] chairman and I have said that in my opinion one cannot be punished until it is official and the court – a non-sport court, a civil court – had made a decision to decide if John Terry has done what he is accused of.”

Capello indicated that he did not believe someone should be punished by sporting authorities before a court had reached a verdict.

Terry, who first lost the England captaincy in February 2010 following allegations about his private life, has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.

Capello is free to select the Chelsea defender for the Netherlands friendly in February and the European Championship in the summer.

The FA declined to comment on Capello’s remarks, but former chief executive David Davies said that they would not be a surprise to his bosses.

“My understanding is that when it was discussed with Fabio Capello, who last week was in Italy, he made it clear to the chairman of the FA that was his view,” Davies told the BBC.

“Having said that, the reality is that the board of the FA had taken the decision that they had and life has gone on.

“He clearly wants to support John Terry, a guy who Fabio appointed twice to this very special job.

“He probably also wants to prevent John Terry walking away from international football altogether.”

Capello, who became England coach in December 2007, is reportedly due at Wembley on Monday to speak to Bernstein.

The former Italy midfielder, who earns a £6m a year, is due to stand down when his contract runs out after Euro 2012.

Author Mark Ryan, who wrote a biography of Capello, told BBC Radio 5 live: “I think Capello is very angry.

“He is a proud man and he did not like having his authority undermined.

“He has gone out there and said if you are going to undermine my authority I am going to undermine yours. He has not long to go on his contract and he wants to make it quite clear he wants to go his own way.

“I think he will be talking to the Football Association in the days to come to try to thrash out some way forward together. If that does not happen already some talk of him joining Franco Baldini at Roma and there is further talk of Inter Milan.”

Meanwhile, Capello must decide who takes over from Terry as captain, Anton’s brother Rio Ferdinand having said that he does not want the role.

Central defender Rio was briefly captain after Terry first lost the armband two years ago, but Capello turned back to the Chelsea captain in March 2011.

Italian football journalist Gabrielle Marcotti says there is confusion over the FA’s position.

“This thing where you can play for your country but can’t wear the captain’s armband comes across as a bit of a fudge,” he told the BBC.

Meanwhile, Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, 24, is flattered to be linked with the captaincy, but feels there are more obvious candidates.

“There are a lot stronger candidates than me,” he said. “I don’t have a view on who should be captain. As long as I’m playing, I don’t care.”

5 February 2012, 1:44 pm
By Sportsbeat
Scotland boss Andy Robinson admits his side just lacked the final application following their 13-6 defeat to England but was determined to look on the positive side.

Despite dominating possession and territory, Scotland failed to turn their superiority into points in part because of a resolute England defensive effort but also due to some poor handling.

They were also the victim of some bad luck with the chargedown from Dan Parks’ clearance bouncing kindly for Charlie Hodgson to ground the ball, while in a similar situation Greig Laidlaw was adjudged not have had control.

It is on those decisions that matches are decided and Robinson argued despite their failings Scotland had be plenty to be proud of, particularly in the performances of Lee Jones and David Denton in their first Six Nations starts.

“We created some great opportunities,” he said. “It was just that last pass that was missing. The game is about inches, very small margins.

“You’ve got to be able to execute under pressure. It was desperate defence, we just lost our heads a bit.

“I’ve spoken to Greig, he says he got the first touch. It’s disappointing but that’s the nature of game.

“I felt we shouldn’t have got ourselves in that position in the first place just after half time. We performed poorly in that five minute spell which gave England the opportunity.

“We’ll work hard, we’ll have to look forward to the next game. Everybody is so disappointed about it. They’re tough test matches and you’ve got to be able to deliver.

“We didn’t get the breaks. We’ll have to look at the positives. Lee Jones did well, Max Evans looked really sharp. I’m delighted with the way David Denton played.

“We’ve got to keep moving forward. But we’re all disappointed and we feel we’ve not achieved what we’ve set out to.”