Avoid trivialities in matter of Ayews, KVP, Muntari
Elsewhere in this paper is a story emphasising the resolve of the Ayew Brothers to underline their much-publicised decision to return to national service at the Black Stars with a formal letter as being demanded of them by the Stars’ Management Committee and, for that matter, the Ghana Football Association.
The story is attributed to an unimpeachable source close to the Ayews, who said the much-awaited or expected letter would reach the FA soon.
But when is soon? This is what we are concerned about in view of reports that Coach Kwasi Appiah has given a grace period of up to tomorrow for all such outstanding issues to be resolved for him to make a final decision on the players to invite for the crucial World Cup group qualifier against Zambia in Kumasi on September 6, 2013.
It is our expectation that the Ayews will put this matter to rest by their expected letter to establish the sincerity or otherwise of the Stars’ authorities that once that is done the way will be cleared for their reunion with the team after the Presidential fiat and appeals by other notable personalities, including the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and Ambassador Ray Quarcoo.
For us, we thought the interventions by such highly-placed authorities, including His Excellency, the President of the Republic, should have ended the matter in favour of the Ayews without recourse to any letter but for the better and further particulars which, we are told, would strengthen the hands of the FA when dealing with the foreign clubs of the respective players in future invitations.
Having understood that we are, however, incensed by a reader’s letter elsewhere on this page that appears to suggest that Kwasi Appiah is being coerced to accept the return of the Ayew Brothers and other ‘renegade’ senior players to the Stars.
In our view, it has been more of appeals rather than coercion to the Stars managers to get these players back in the team after the so-called renegades had been appealed to by even members of the FA and the team’s management to reconsider their self-imposed leave.
As far as we know, it was based on this understanding that personalities such as Ambassador Quarcoo, the Asantehene and eventually the President took turns to meet the boys to condescend, leaving the rest for the FA and the Stars management to finalise.
We think the public relations stunt following the overtures by these notable personalities has not been well handled by the FA much to the disappointment or embarrassment of the entire footballing public.
Indeed, if Coach Appiah is in agreement with the reader’s letter that he is being forced, as it were, to accept the Ayews, Kevin-Prince Boateng and much lately Sulley Muntari back to the team, he should be professional about it.
It will be his undoing to allow himself to be coerced into accepting a situation that he is very much uncomfortable with if the sentiments expressed in the letter under reference are anything to go by.
Meanwhile, we wish to reiterate our position that the Stars need the skill and experience of Muntari, KVP and the Ayews in the September 6 decider against Zambia’s Chipolopolo and the subsequent final play-off for Brazil 2014.
In this regard, we should not be consumed in trivialities, lest we lose big time!
Graphic Sports/graphic.com.gh/Ghana
