GHANA 2008: The Russian Roulette

SITTING among all the enthusiastic Ghanaians at the Accra International Conference Centre last Friday, I couldn't believe but share their joy as the list for Group A was completed. The occasion was the draw for the 26th African Nations Cup Ghana 2008. The ceremony was very well attended and everybody (including our Nigerian brothers) left the hall satisfied. Group A to be based in Accra ended up with Ghana, Guinea, Morocco and Namibia. To be totally honest with you all, the teams selected were the teams I had mentioned just before the balls were opened. Probably South Africa would have been preferred to Guinea. I was therefore utterly surprised when the pessimists went to town immediately after the draw and the following day on radio in Accra.

I have been trying to figure out the psychology behind this level of pessimism. They couch it in what they call “caution and avoiding complacency”. But who needs convincing about caution and complacency in sports, especially football. Probably they are setting the tone for “I told you so” later. But that wouldn't wash simply because we all know there are no guarantees in football. How would you not rejoice when out of a pot containing Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Senegal, you end up with Morocco? Give us a break please! Looking at the seeding system, Ghana could have ended up with Cote d'Iovire, Mali and Angola. What would they have said then, probably sing the dirge for the national team. What was even sad was the fact that among the pessimists were knowledgeable sports enthusiasts. How can people not remember how important getting a favourable group is crucial to winning tournaments? Not games, I mean tournaments!

The history of football is awash with so many examples that it would take me probably five weeks to finish in this column but a few examples would suffice here. In the last World Cup in Germany, the host nation entered the tournament with their confidence level being the lowest that I have ever seen in a German team enter any competition. Even the fact that they were hosts could not raise their confidence. Remember Germany is the most mentally strong football nation in the world. It is only Germany that can take the team they presented at 2002 World Cup and go all the way to the finals. Getting drawn in Group A with Poland, Ecuador and Costa Rica was all the tonic the team needed to build their confidence. Their 4-2 victory over Costa Rica was necessary to create or regenerate self belief and the team made it all the way to the semi finals defeating “better” teams like Argentina along the way. The same thing happened to Germany in 2002 when the 8-0 drubbing of Saudi Arabia was all the team needed to get to the finals.

In the Nations Cup in 2000, a lot of people saw how our team (though average) was defeated by a lame South African team simply because we had played them in Kumasi, already damaged psychologically by the likes of Cameroon and especially Cote d'Ivoire who defeated us 2-0 in our last group game. All those who were present at the stadium would not forget how the fans were virtually begging the officials to end the game since a third goal by the Ivorians would have led to a disgraceful elimination. The same thing happened inn 1978. After struggling to defeat Zambia (we came from a goal behind) and drawing with Nigeria, we were beginning to struggle with confidence and a 3-0 victory over Upper Volta was all that we needed to bring confidence back into the team. By the third group game, we had used three strikers Opoku Afriyie against Zambia, Opoku Afriyie replaced by Willie Klutse against Nigeria and the then young George Alhassan against Upper Volta.

Another important factor that makes an easier group imperative in a tournament of this nature is that it allows for pacing. This means that if Ghana secures six points from our first two games against Guinea and Namibia then we can rest players and be cautions with the players on yellow cards (Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire did this perfectly at the last CAN). Having a relatively easier group games also reduces the risk of injuries, cards and fatigue since all the games would not be on knife edge. The coach buttressed my point when he said he was relieved to have avoided the big guns not because he is afraid of them but he wants to avoid putting his team on the edge in the initial stages of the tournament. More importantly, most of these players were in Egypt 2006 and witnessed first hand what the so called minnows can do when underrated. The captain of the team put it aptly when he was interviewed prior to the draw that they would approach all the teams with determination and seriousness. Any psychologist would tell you that this is easier said that done.

Human nature being what it is, sometimes the intrinsic motivation for low profile opposition is always low. The extrinsic form must be applied tactfully. This is where the coach and his backroom staff must be up and doing. In the coming weeks, I would analyse all the groups in terms of their strengths and weaknesses and how far I think each team would go. Eventually, the last four and eventual winner would be predicted in this column. For now, I think Ghanaian fans must be allowed to enjoy the euphoria of being drawn in a relatively easier group. For those who are supposed to be the thinking and planning behind the scenes, the work must start now. This would probably be the most competitive and exciting. For organisers this is the time to put final touches to months of planning and give Africa the greatest or simply the best Nations Cup ever in terms of passion and organisation. Our players must know that the nation expects nothing less than the trophy from them. Till we meet next week.