By Jones Anlimah
In the wake of Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, suffering a defeat and a disappointing performance at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, questions are once again being raised about the country’s approach to talent identification, development, and overall improvement in the sporting arena.
Criticisms have come from some Ghanaians, sympathisers of the Black Stars, football fans and lovers of the game, following Ghana Football Association’s decision to sack Coach Chris Hughton, over the abysmal performance of the country’s National Team, the Black Stars, at the ongoing African football fiesta.
This has highlighted and heightened the need for a closer examination of the country’s blueprint for sporting success. A pivotal concern is whether Ghana possesses a comprehensive strategy for talent identification and development across the various sports disciplines, especially football, the passion and heartbeat of every nation.
One cannot also ignore the crucial link between the national team’s struggles over the last four decades since its major trophy in 1982 and the state of facilities and training pitches across the country and the calibre of players that form the Senior National Team, the Black Stars, over the years.
While strides have been made over the years, the inadequacy of training facilities across the country remains a significant challenge. For example, one cannot boast of any standard or acceptable football pitches in the Ho municipality of the Volta Region and few other places across the country. This undoubtedly undermines the potential growth and development of football talents in the Municipality and areas with similar challenges.
The inadequate standard training pitches raise questions about the commitment to providing adequate infrastructure for aspiring athletes. A nation’s sporting success is intrinsically tied to the quality and accessibility of its training facilities, urging the need for immediate attention and investment in this aspect.
The absence of a clear strategy to support struggling local football clubs, which play a vital role in nurturing talents for the national teams, is another critical issue. These clubs often face financial hardships and need assistance to survive and thrive.
A robust plan that encompasses financial support, infrastructure development, grassroots programmes and real talents, who have the love, passionate and desire to sacrifice and make a difference for mother Ghana, are imperative to ensure the sustained success of football clubs, to contribute significantly to the country’s talent pool.
There are gifted talents, who are desirous of playing for a club, prior to or to eventually play for the Black Stars, thus, are not too financially greedy and conscious. Without a thriving club system, the pipeline of talents, feeding into the national teams is compromised, directly impacting the Black Stars’ competitiveness.
Ghana’s approach to football improvement cannot solely rely on changing coaches and a more holistic strategy is therefore needed. Investment in sports, especially football, should be a national priority. This should entail, not only financial backing, but also a comprehensive plan, that addresses talent identification, development and support for local football clubs.
The Black Stars’ disappointing performance at the ongoing AFCON tournament should serve as a catalyst for Ghana to re-evaluate its sporting landscape.
It is time for a concerted effort to establish a clear and effective blueprint for talent identification and development, improve facilities across the country and provide substantial support to struggling football clubs.
Only through such comprehensive measures and a well-discussed, thought-through plan and action and love and sacrifice for mother Ghana, can the nation’s hope to reap the rewards of sporting success and move beyond the cycle of disappointment, that has plagued the football space on the international stage.
As the African Cup of Nations unfolds, it has become evident, that placing the blame solely on Coaches is insufficient. The responsibility lies with those who shape the broader landscape of Ghanaian football. Calls for increased investment and a well-defined strategy have never been more urgent.
If Ghana aspires to reap success on the international stage, a concerted effort to address the foundational or fundamental issues in football development is not only advisable but necessary. Too many Coaches have been sacked/relieved off their position and questions have and are being asked, as to who, which group or individual is benefiting from it?
Is there any monetary gain or glory or good reputation in relieving Coaches of their positions? Let us be compassionate and have love for Ghana, our motherland. The ball is in the court of those tasked with driving change and progress in Ghana’s football landscape.
