The decision to use the young boys for Angola 2010 African Cup of nations was heavily criticized by most Ghanaians. Many Ghanaians failed to see the Vision Coach Milovan and the GFA had for the future of Ghana football.
As we all know, one of the good qualities of a good leader is your ability to make a decision and stand by your decision popular or not. In this case the GFA and Coach Milovan made a controversial decision and stood by their decision despite the heavy criticisms. Most Ghanaians predicted Ghana’s elimination in the first round of the tournament, but guess what, Ghana have progressed to the semi finals. Can the critics believe that? The following are the reasons why I believe the decision to use the young boys is good for the future of Ghana football
1. It will give Coach Milovan the opportunity to choose his World Cup team from a huge list of capable and committed players and not choose players based on their past performance or the club they play for in Europe. Having more players to pick from will also lead to healthy competition among the Black Stars and make them work harder.
2. It will give Ghana the opportunity to gradually find a suitable replacement for our older players who may be retiring soon. Giving the young boys the opportunity to play at such a competitive level at the African Cup of Nation will enable the current senior or older players to pass on their experience to the young players and will eventually lead to a smooth transition.
3. Also, the use of the young boys will give injured players such as Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Michael Essien, Kingston and Penstil the opportunity to recover from their injuries before the world cup in June 2010. All of the injured players are injured because they have consistently represented Ghana in all tournaments as well as playing for their clubs two or three times a week. They have been overworked and deserve a break. It is my expectation that they will use their recovery time wisely by having good rest.
4. Furthermore, the use of the young boys has made it difficult for the scouts from world bound nations such as Germany, Serbia, and Australia to study the game plan of Ghana at Angola before the world cup begins in June. Most of these scouts were paid huge sums of money to monitor the black stars at Angola but to their surprise virtually all of the black stars making Ghana proud at Angola are virtually young, talented and unknown around the world.
5. Believe it or not, the World Cup is here already. The tournament begins in June; most of the European players will continue to play in the European leagues until May 2010 and will walk straight into the World Cup tired. At least the injured Black Stars will have the opportunity have some rest due to their injury before the world cup begins in June 2010.
So far the young boys have done very well at Angola 2010. Critics of the decision to use the young boys are gradually warming up to it. Many top Soccer analysts around the world are beginning to see the wisdom in using the young boys at the Angola 2010 tournament. Actually many soccer analyst are encouraging other African Nations such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Tunisia etc to learn from Ghana by adopting same youth policy.
I will not be surprised if Ghana continues to do well in this tournament and even win the African Cup of Nations at Angola 2010, but at this stage, Ghanaians should understand that Ghana Soccer is currently in the transition period and for that matter should not expect too much from these young boys.
I believe strongly that the GFA and Coach Milovan are on track. Ghanaians should be patient with the management of the national team officials. I have no doubt that their youth policy is working and must be supported by all Ghanaians. I am sure if this youth policy is given the needed support and patience, Ghana can win the world cup within the next ten years.

NICK AMUNA
USA
nicamuna@yahoo.com