In the run up to Ghana’s crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Zambia in Kumasi on September 6, a lot of opinions are being thrown at the mercurial Kwesi Appiah, coach of the Black Stars. He does not need these opinions now.
The always loud Dr. NyahoTamakloe is not happy about some return call ups of some renegade senior players, Ray Quarcoe is advising with very strong words that the Ayews need to be called to the squad immediately, and Alhaji Grusah rants that people should be patient with the Ayew brothers. Very well.
I was gladdened when Coach Kwesi Appiah in an interview after the Turkey international friendly stated emphatically that he already has a squad ready for the Zambia brawl and that the Turkey match will have little or no impact on his selection for this crucial match.
It suggests clearly that the coach knows what he is about and the matter of calling player A or player B must be put to rest and the coach allowed to concentrate on the job. I am confident that this Ghanaian coach is honest, competent and loves his country.
He was captain of the Black Stars, he has patiently worked as the assistant coach to three expatriate coaches, he won Gold for Ghana at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique and since he has been the coach of the senior national team he has widened the scope of selection into the team and has provided some lovable results.
I am also sure that he is very mindful of the date of the Zambian qualifier. For the match comes on the heels of the pioneering ruling from the Supreme Court of Ghana on the 2012 Presidential Election Petition.
I am sure he knows how an emphatic score line will help enforce unity and peace. For we love our football more than political galamsey.
Coach KwesiAppiah must take a cue from Hon Ayikoi Otoo in the art that averts disaster but makes a whole nation becomes calm again.
My beef is that coach Kwesi Appiah should be spared all the coercive suggestions and opinions that are very well advertised in the media.
What he needs now is prayers, patting on the back for his recent achievements and financial promises should he qualify us to Brazil 2014.
He has been on the job long enough to know who should be selected for which match.
To Brazil we must go and Kwesi Appiah will be the biggest beneficiary. Kwesi how unifying and peaceful it will be to have a score line that reads Z-A-M-B-I-A only 5.
By COBBINA Charles. N. D. (The writer is the CEO of the MILLION BALLS BRAZIL Project)