GFA Vs. Ali Muntari

We can never cover the uncovered nakedness; the harm has already been done. As a proverb goes, “Your attitude will dictate your altitude,” and in Muntari’s case, it is obvious that his attitude has cost him. Good, I think we all, not only Muntari, have learnt something from this case and I’m glad he had rendered an apology as my first article predicted.

Repentance is a change of thought and action to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from a person who is wronged. In Christian contexts, it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God, and resolving to live according to religious law. It typically includes an admission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.

“As the child in this matter my first point to apologise before explaining recent events which have led to this misunderstanding.”

"I must first and foremost apologise to the people of Ghana, the coach Mr. Rajevac and the Ghana Football Association," Muntari told Ghanasoccernet in an exclusive interview.

As citizens of this country, what are we asking our Prodigal Son to do before we can forgive him? Above were statements he issued over four days ago; however, up till now, nothing has been heard from GFA whether Muntari’s apology has been accepted or not. People of Ghana, is this issue about Muntari, or GFA, or our beloved country? In other words, is Muntari’s omission a beneficial to him, to GFA or to Mother Ghana?

For Muntari to come this far to render an apology, don’t we see it as a sign of repentance? Who is perfect in this world? Who is a saint among us? Allow me to give you something we all could relate to. The cocoon of the emperor moth is flask-like in shape. To develop into a perfect insect, the moth must force its way through the neck of its cocoon with hours of intense struggle. Entomologists explain that this pressure is nature’s way of forcing a life-giving substance into its wings. Wanting to lessen the seemingly needless trials and struggles of the moth, an observer said, “I’ll lessen the pain and struggles of this helpless creature!”

With small scissors, he snipped the restraining threads to make the moth’s emergence painless and effortless. But the creature never developed wings. For a brief time before its death, it simply crawled, instead of flying through the air on rainbow-colored wings!

If only the moth had been allowed to finish struggling, its life had been transformed into beauty. Similarly, sorrow, suffering, trials, and tribulations are wisely designed to grow us into perfection. On the other hand, if the observer, the Entomologist, didn’t try to help the moth and eventually discovered the result of his horrible act, you and I would have had no clue on how moth develops. Isn’t it?

Analyzing the biological facts in this story, folks, we learn from our mistakes. As humans, we cannot be perfect but to try our best. If Muntari is to be a moth, some of us would have left him to struggle for the benefit of his future. Contrary, he is not. He is a human being like the Entomologist who leant from his mistakes. Therefore, all Sulley could do is to try to be at his best. He has promised not only the coach, but the country as a whole, to be at his best in his statement. What else do we want from him?

To my understanding, this little demonstration from Rajevac Milovan has made all including the Black Stars team realized that the coach is not here to play. It has, as well, given us goose bumps for a realization that no one dictates for him. That’s good and I commend him for that. Evidently, the coach’s reaction toward Muntari is only part of the solution not all.

Based on the above story, we all can tell that Muntari will benefit tremendously from the coach’s new rules. Consequently, will the country holistically benefit from it as well? I mean, is Mother Ghana going to benefit from Sulley’s exclusion from this coming Africa Cup of Nations, besides himself, his team mates, and the up-coming players?

Let us remind ourselves of the players our main opponent, Ivory Coast is coming with. This is not the qualifying matches against Sudan or Mali. I’m talking about a whole different ball game in here. Didier Drogba, Aruna Dindane, Bakari Kone, Abdul-Kader Keita are the Elephants’ forward liners whilst Didier Zokora, Emerse Fae, Yaya Toure, Romaric and Solomon Kalou depending on their team’s formation, mount their midfield. Forks, we have a battle in our hands because, as it is, we may have the opportunity to meet this same team twice in this up- coming tournament. Therefore, our prides should be put aside for the country to come first.

My recommendation, since Muntari is an emergency player, and he is under a microscopic view, take him to Angola; sit him on the bench, and allow him to come in when the country is in need of a goal. According to Africaonline24.com research, facts indicated as, even though he is a midfielder (not forward player), he is among the country’s top scorers with 12 goals into his name. We shouldn’t forget about CAN 2008. Ghana Black Stars’ first game against Guinea (2-1 win), Muntari was the one who scored the 90th minute goal. Ghana Black Stars’ game against Morocco (2-0 win), he was again the one who scored the last goal which came in 45th minute. Ghana Black Stars’ game against Cote d’Ivoire (4-2 win), here too, he was the one who scored the first goal in 10 minutes. Now, the unforgettable event, Ghana Black Stars’s game against Nigeria, a quarter final match of this same CAN 08 tournament, a one-man-down memorable game, the country’s famous 83rd minute goal scored by Junior Agogo, Folks, was orchestrated by this same Prodigal Son, Sulley Ali Muntari.

As a Ghanaian, my concern is about Our Mother Ghana, not about Muntari, not about Coach Rajevac Milovan, and certainly not about GFA Executives. I’m saying this because a dynasty such as the one our country possesses at the moment is hard to come by. Calculate from Abedi Pele’s era and tell me how many years it is now? If we are lucky enough, such a dynasty would come by ones in every decade. I’m talking about ones in every ten years. We have a quality team in this era. In simple prints, why do we have to destroy it? Why do we have to go to CAN tournament without players whom we know could do the job? Yes, Sulley made a mistake. He had realized it, had apologized for it, and had repented. Isn’t it time GFA and Coach Milovan forgive him for the sake of the country? In case we forgot, two wrongs cannot make a situation right; it only becomes super wrong.

As I indicated earlier, repentance is primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct, "change of mind and heart", or, "change of consciousness". A description of repentance in the New Testament can be found in the parable of the Prodigal Son found in the Gospel of Luke (15 beginning at verse 11). Muntari has swallowed his pride and has done the right think. Like I mentioned in my first article, “Muntari’s Untold Story”, is apparent now. GFA didn’t want Muntari’s apology! GFA is not here to solve any case but to proof unnecessary arrogance. It is PRIDE and POWER (PP). The two PPs which have the ability to destroy every good thing are what GFA is toying with. It will reach us no where. Like Essien said, “Sulley doesn't bring indiscipline to the pitch, he brings experience, value and results to our team and it is imperative we have him in the team if we are to excel at the next games.”

If you will ask me, I will say, it is about time GFA swallows its pride for Ghana to move on with the best the country can offer. Remember, when there is no way, in the Prodigal Son’s books, there is a way. “A word to a wise is enough.” As usual, I’m on it again. Until the fat lady sings, the door is still wide open for GFA to do the right thing for the country.

As a defensive counselor, I rest my case!

In all things, “Get Understanding, Get Wisdom.”

Ransford Peprah (Sports Analyst/Editor)

Rnsfdpeprah@yahoo.com’ http://www.africaonline24.com