The performance of the senior national team the Black Stars has become unpredictable these days due to several factors.

One, is lack of commitment on the part of players. Second, is the arrogance of the players and lastly the frequent changing of coaches. These factors have contributed to make Ghana a pale shadow of her past football glory. Those days when people used to put their last bet on the Black Stars to win are gone for ever. These days Ghanaians only jubilate when the final whistle goes, probably out of fear that an early jubilation could be cut short by an uncommitted national side that has become the whipping boys of unrated teams. Some simply do not like to raise their blood pressure by committing themselves fully to the course of the senior national team.

The lackluster performance of the Black Stars in the CAN 2000 was one of the darkest moments in the history of the team. During the tournament, the Stars drew the opening match against Cameroon, won against Togo, then when Ghanaians thought everything was smooth sailing, they tumbled against La Cote d'Ivoire.

Coach Gussepe Dossena bore much of the brunt for the dismal performance of the team. Some people, including the former sports minister, E.T. Mensah masterminded Dossena's removal after CAN2000. This was inspite of the fact the Italian coach had been hired to prepare the team for the world cup in 2002.

Despite winning his first match 5-0 against Sierra-Leone, the humble Italian coach was shown the exit. With the power of hindsight those who sacked Coach Dossena have done this nation a great disservice and posterity will never forgive them.

Coach Jones Attuquafio, the darling coach of E.T. Mensah was appointed new coach of the Black Stars because he led Accra Hearts of Oaks to win two national titles and was on the verge of winning the African Club Championship Cup. That, at the time was a fine record to qualify as Black Stars coach. But it is one thing coaching a club side and quite another coaching a national side.

Coach Jones' performance in the first two games has raised doubt about his temerity to lead the Black Stars to qualify for Japan/Korea 2002. His side lost an African cup qualifier 2-1 to Congo DR and on January 28, the Black Stars were humiliated 3-1 by Liberia. The 3-1 drubbing was perhaps the moment of truth for the coach, his players and all Ghanaians that we are still living under self- delusion.

And what a time to break the heart of a nation, a new president and a new government. The Black Stars ensured their own defeat despite a personal appeal by President Kufuor for them to do Ghana proud. Rather, right under our own noses the Black Stars were outplayed, outclassed, outscored and probably out of the world cup challenge. They played as if there was nothing at stake. They are out because it would be difficult for a dispirited team like the Black Stars to win in Sudan, who beat Liberia 2-0 at home. In fact the current crop of players we are making so much noise about are not world cup material and I don't see how they can hold their own against the likes of Nigeria and Liberia in away encounters. It was clear that the team lost the match because of technical deficiency and player commitment.