After the draw, planning is all that matters

The Black Stars are in Group G with USA, Germany and Portugal

I spent the greater part of last week in Kumasi, helping in the planning and organization of Kotoko’s 2014 Africa Campaign Committee inauguration. Thankfully, the good planning and organization yielded a positive outcome as the programme ended successfully despite starting late. The programme started late because of the 2014 FIFA World Cup draw which was live on television just at the time the inauguration of the committee was to commence.

Although most of the dignitaries invited for the august occasion turned up on time, our programme couldn’t start on time also because many of the invited media houses were not present by 4pm. The few reporters who came in before 4pm even moved downstairs (from the Conference Room to the Restaurant at Miklin Hotel) to catch a glimpse of the World Cup draw.

That was to be expected. The draw was also of paramount importance. Finally, when the draw was over and Ghana paired with the United States of America (USA), Germany and Portugal, reactions poured in fast. I listened carefully and excitedly to the interviews by FM stations across the length and breadth of Kumasi via the radio on my phone.

The conclusion I drew was that, Ghana, according to public opinion in Kumasi was handed a tough draw; a draw that many football fans didn’t expect. In fact, the foregoing was the thought expressed by a terrified radio phone-in caller. I said terrified because I could easily tell from the caller’s voice, that, he saw Germany, Portugal and the USA as very strong opponents - opponents that could give the Black Stars real problems in their quest to win next year’s prestigious competition. 

The Black Stars have impressed Ghanaian fans in their two appearances at the FIFA World Cup. That is why it is not difficult to appreciate or understand why many Ghanaian football fans believe that the team can win the 2014 tournament.

At their maiden appearance, Germany 2006, Ghana exited at the 1/16th stage, losing 3-0 to almighty Brazil. Four years on, Ghana crashed out at the quarter final berth, losing on penalties to Uruguay. In fact, Ghana was the only African country out of the six that participated to reach that dignifying stage. Therefore the marked progress the Black Stars made from 2006 to 2010 is what legitimately forces many to think that the team will do much better in Brazil next year.

The belief of most Ghanaians is that the Black Stars would get to the semi-final, the final and thus win the competition. Being drawn against the tried and tested Germany, Portugal and USA, the confidence of some Ghanaian fans who predicted that the Black Stars would win the World Cup appears to have suddenly waned. The refrain seems to be that Ghana could actually exit immediately after the group matches. That will be disappointing.

I am not one of those who believe that such a thing will happen although I humbly concede that, Germany, Portugal and the USA are absolutely no push-overs in world football. What matters for me, really, at this moment are not the lofty, almost unrealistic predictions! I am certain in my mind that that all that matters now is how we plan for a successful participation.

The operative word is successful. By successful, I mean going beyond the quarter final stage. Anything short of that is failure. The onus therefore lies heavily on the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Football Association and Coach Kwasi Appiah to plan and prepare effectively for our opponents. We must design a pragmatic programme for the Black Stars and that programme must eventually ensure that Ghana will not be also-runs at Brazil 2014.

Ghana may not have the C-Ronaldo Portugal has for example but we must have a team that is capable of beating not C-Ronaldo but Portugal. We must put confidence in our team and give them total support. The pre-tournament talk may not favour Ghana but at the end of the day, what will matter won’t be what was said before the tournament. What every Ghanaian will be asking will be what Black Stars did at the tournament in Brazil.