Are you with me or not

The reason for this article is to alarm all Ghanaians of how serious Cote d’Ivoire is to destroy our national team, the Black Stars, during the on-going African Cup of Nations. Secondly, it is to call all Ghanaians to brush off individual differences and come together as one nation to conquer the quest ahead of us. Some people may ask, what is this lunatic talking about? You can call me all the names you so desired; however, the mountain is still facing us. It is either we team-up to move it aside or demolish it for good. It is up to us; therefore, are you in or not? I guess you have no choice because this is the point of no return.

Allow me to begin the article with an issue we all need to tackle and to solve it. A message was brought to the nation from GFA days ago, when the Black Stars’ Midfield General, Michael Essien was expected to join his colleagues by the close of Monday but wasn’t able to make it. Some Ghanaians read only the title of that GNA article and began to pour insults on the player as if nature belongs to him. Others too were fighting on Ghanaweb and other websites just because Michael couldn’t make it to camp on Monday.

My question is, don’t we have other players to slip their feet in Bison’s shoes when he is not available to serve his country? Do we have to fight among ourselves just because a single player wasn't able to make it to camp on time? Do we have any clue the obstacles that prevented him to report to camp, which could be beneficial depending on how an individual looks at the situation? Most of the time, we tend not to look at other side of a situation. Is there anyway we could comment in all the forums and wouldn't insult one another? Can we try that for a change?

Well, as we all know, Bison arrived yesterday as GNA article indicated; on the contrary, allow me to paraphrase it, his chances of featuring for tomorrow’s match is in the hands of God. Therefore, there would be no need to fight or rain insults on anyone when the selection is out and his name is omitted. Remember, it is always a privilege to have a player like Essien around for a long time. In other words, if by tomorrow the midfield ace is not physically fit, and therefore, needs to be dropped for future assignments there shouldn’t be heart attacks among us. We should permit Coach Milovan to rest him.

By the way, in case some of us don’t know, as I stated, Ivory Coast has vowed to devour the Ghana Black Stars. The name, “Black Stars” doesn’t apply to the players at camp alone but the nation as well. “Be sober, be vigilant because your opponent is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for a way to devour you” courtesy (1 Peter 5:8) This is the reason we need to be alert and stop the insults and the arguments. There is time for everything as King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, and this is the moment to put our differences outside the door and allow togetherness to come in for the sake of Mother Ghana.

Now back to Muntari’s saga, I’m not trying to get on your nerves in here but rather to remind you of the country’s needs. What the country needs at the moment is not the disagreement among our selves. We need togetherness as I said. Yes, what GFA did concerning Muntari’s issue, I still disagree which others agree. This is how it should be. At this moment, it is too late to talk about Muntari. It is not important anymore because the damage has already been done. Let’s focus on the task ahead. If and when Milovan agrees to include him to his team, will totally depend on the coach and the out come of this tournament. In a simple way of saying it, we all can’t agree or disagree on an issue. For a country to operate well, to me, there should be an opposition and as well, to know where to draw the line. Remember, the team at the moment is our focal point. We need to rally behind them. One thing we are missing is the fact that whether the Black Stars are bunch of babies or toddlers, they bear the name, “the Black Stars.” They have been picked to represent the nation. Therefore, whether we disagree or agree on some issues, some of us have no choice but to rally behind the selected squad.

Thank God, the players picked are neither babies nor toddlers. They have some experience, although, not enough for tournaments of this caliber, if you as me. However, it is not that bad. This tells that we are not vulnerable after all. We still have players to stand in for Mother Ghana and that is all what matters. In this paragraph, I would not say we, but I, cried out loud for the nation to present experienced players when the squad was initially announced. Little did I recall that after the Under 20 WC, I was among the few who recommended the nation to utilize these same young players during this year’s African Cup of Nations. As a saying goes, “be careful for what you ask for.” The ideas behind the suggestion were the fact that our regular players would soon be caught between nature and their desires of serving the country. Most of our experience players are above 25 years of age. When the time comes and they can’t move as supposed to, what would we do? How can we expect the younger players to gain the experience they need “step-up” (borrowed Stephen Appiah’s logo) if such opportunities are stripped from them? Are we getting the picture now? Like the president of GFA, Mr. Nyantakyi said, “it is a way for the young ones to justify their inclusion,” so that when that time emerges, the country would have a talented, and experienced team to lean on.

A number of fans disagreed with GFA and I wasn’t far from them. Actually, I do disagree with Nyantekyi and co. most of the time, including the pending idea of using the younger players. On the contrary, thinking about it, the brilliantness from this idea, even though not everyone will admit it, re-occurred to me. If you haven’t got it yet, please hear me out. Borrowed from POW, “if the country was allowed to take all its experienced players instead of the younger players to Angola, what would you think would have happened today?” How many of these experience players are on our injury list at the moment? It was very sad seeing Nigeria’s legendary, Kanu, moving as slow as turtle in their horrible defeat in the hands of the Egyptians. Is that what we want?

Well folks, whether we like it or not, the match is tomorrow at 7:30pm, 20:30 European time and 1:30pm US time. The nation will need to give all to support theses little ones. These players are here not only to entertain but also to stay. Therefore, let us welcome them with open arms as new eclectic legends begin to unfold their stories. Therefore, back to my question, are you in or out?

“In All things, get Understanding, get Wisdom”

Ransford Peprah Rnsfdpeprah@yahoo.com