In the previous edition of his AFCON review, Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah condemned the intense criticism victimizing Asamoah Gyan and company. In this report, he tackles the issue of a coach’s role. Maybe we have all been lazy in taking time to spot, groom and build talent instead of doing the easy job of tactics – New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. Part 2 of 4 Just as Ghanaian football fans scream and rant at lazy players, it is only fair that we should no longer tolerate lazy coaches and lazy football administrators. This should be written in their contracts in black and white. Lazy coaches who do not have passion for the job must be fired! The Black Stars is not just another football team. It must reflect our very character, our confidence, our beauty, our pride and our heritage as a nation. Four-time African champions, four-time AFCON silver medalists, quarter-finalists at the 2010 World Cup and then what? Before we look at the pros and cons for what we must do now, let us switch sport to the multibillion dollar world of basketball where, perhaps, we may get a clue or two as to the best way forward. In case you have not heard, there is a potential new Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or Kobe Bryant making headlines in the NBA. As you read this, the number one name typed on the biggest Chinese internet search engine is Jeremy Lin. Hundreds of millions of people have been gripped by the basketball story of the moment starring a first generation Asian American point guard. Jeremy Lin is the High School senior who was ignored several coaches in the past, apparently because he was not good enough. The Harvard graduate is seriously good with at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first five starts. In football terms, this achievement is like scoring a hatrick, game after game. So how and why was this sensation ignored by so many managers for so long? According to the “honest” coach who went back for the Taiwanese American, “Maybe we have all been lazy in taking time to spot, groom and build talent instead of doing the easy job of tactics.” These were the words of New York Knicks’ Mike D’Antoni when he summoned Lin from the bench against the New Jersey Nets. Okay. Back to football and back to Ghana. Have we all been lazy—I mean the coaches, administrators and the media? For many years now, we (the Ghanaian football fraternity and key stakeholders) have been pouring fresh water into a leaking bucket. As intelligent as we claim to be, how on earth can it be possible that we ever fill this bucket? Let me share a few examples with you just so that we are all on the same page. Let us break things down one by one. Managing Players Once upon a time, a certain Samuel Osei Kufuor (the most decorated player in the history of Ghana football) was branded a bad example to his Black Stars team mates because he chose to speak his mind on matters that were taboo in the dressing room. This included criticizing the quality of the jerseys for the team. Others kept quiet and took the posture of obedient children. Which attitude, in truth, is the right way of acting in Ghana? Apparently, some believe that playing for your country is a privilege so you either put up and shut up or speak out and get out! Well, Sammy Kufuor was not the first to be outspoken nor would he be the last. However, he must surely now reflect and consider this famous Italian proverb: “All truth is not to be told at all times.” There must be something in Italian water that sparks some of our Italian-based players to speak their mind on and off the green grass. No need reminding you about a certain Mr Muntari and, more recently, a certain Mr Boateng aka KPB. To me, if a coach insists on applying defined rules then the same coach must also leave no doubt that he knows what he is doing. The coach must prove that he is ready to take the whip or the glory. There would be no debate if we all kept strictly to football in answering the question: Does Ghana’s national team need Kevin-Prince Boateng? We all know that there are many non-footballing reasons some would offer to justify Boateng’s self imposed exile. Is he a traitor or was he poorly managed? My friend Kwasi Nyantakyi might be the best person to answer that. Let’s remember that the coach took a stance and a gamble but he had the backing of the FA. Watching Boateng score spectacular goals with ease for AC Milan must be quite uncomfortable for some people (please I did not say Plavi). These people include some of my good friends and media colleagues who decided to cut and paste the bad boy traitor image of KPB. What would we prefer? Would we like sweet talking Kevin-Prince Boateng to do the job on the field whilst massaging his gigantic ego or tell him to go to hell and live with the knowledge that if you have a wayward son, you do not shoot him? He is still your son, anyways. However, there is an opposing view. There are lots of KPB’s out there so we must not beg anyone if he feels he is above the people and the state. My well-educated friend in the city of London (a Manchester United fan) insists that we should not entertain players who feel they are bigger than the team because that breeds indiscipline and creates tension in the dressing room. In the same vein, he agrees that Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest manager in football because he knows exactly how to use whatever he has at his disposal TO WIN. In other words, you cannot say that proud players like Dwight Yorke, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were exceptions. Fergie managed their flaws and this is a fact. Managing the coach I have travelled with many Black Stars teams and got up close with several managers, players and officials. That does not make me an expert but it gives me different perspectives to every story. Critically, I have learnt to stay neutral as much as I can in order to win that confidence and trust which can evaporate in a moment of indiscretion. I suspect that was the fatal mistake made by Plavi. At some point, did Goran Stevanovic ask to leave only to be denied? What about now? Should he leave? Well, that would be letting the cat out of the bag. In any case, I know the decision has already been taken. Either he was not sufficiently informed by his employers or he did not bother to learn about Ghana beyond football.