GFA must not cede its job to Coach Avram Grant.

Just curious: Are the latest media reports true that the newly appointed coach of the Black Stars Mr. Avram Grant is trying to reach out to the seemingly unremorseful “chief architects” of the shameful rebellion at Ghana soccer team camp during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil? Does Mr. Grant's job descriptions as Black Stars coach also include going to Europe to meet with the so-called senior players comprising Muntari, KPB, and Essien? Why should Coach Grant decide to go to Europe and baby-sit or sweet-talk those incorrigible Black Stars' players to apologize to Ghanaians to pave the way for them to be readmitted back into the Black Stars? Can't the new coach build up a strong winning and well-disciplined team without Muntari, KPB, and Essien? They may have some experience but it is also true these guys have almost reached their wits' end in their soccer careers.

For starters, GFA knows that the contumacious spectacle orchestrated by Muntari, Essien, and KPB, in the Black Stars' camp because of the management's lies, has nothing to do with the newly hired national team coach. Which, again, leads us to ask why the Ghana FA appears to be sitting timidly on the sidelines for a foreign coach to get involved in an issue that is GFA's undeniable handiwork and more so its sole responsibility? The Ghana FA dismissed and imposed suspension measures on some of the players mentioned here, following their bellicose behaviors during Ghana's participation in the 2014 World Cup. The mess unfolded in the Black Stars' camp in Brazil not only predates Coach Grant's arrival, but also it falls outside the scope of Mr. Grant's involvement or intervention. The banned players have to initiate their own contrition marathon.

This scenario may never happened; but, for argument's sake let assume Maxwell Konadu is appointed head coach of either the British or Israeli national soccer team. Upon the assumption of duties, Coach Konadu realizes that two or three of his players have been suspended by the country's FA for some serious disciplinary infractions. Given the seriousness and the touchy nature of the problem, one wonders if Israeli FA will allow a newly hired foreign coach to intervene in a situation so sensitive to their national psyche. The GFA knows how sensitive and passionate millions of Ghanaians are about their national teams, especially the Black Stars. This is where many Ghanaians expect GFA to show some teeth and refreshes Mr. Grant's memory regarding his limits as Ghana's soccer head coach. GFA/Ministry of Sports, by their deceptions, created the unnecessary avenue for some of the Black Stars' players to advertize their indiscipline, and larger-than-life attitudes to the full glare of the world. The ball, therefore, is in the court of the Ghanaian soccer authorities, and not in any surrogate's hands, as far as devising some sound management practices and well-defined institutional disciplinary measures to prevent the repeat of the despicable players' drama in Ghana's World Cup participation in Brazil.

Through their amateurish actions, the entire Ghanaian soccer authorities and some of the so-called senior players of the Black Stars brought Ghana's hard-won image into disrepute and global sports media mockery. If those people who created this embarrassing mess are sincerely regretful for turning their backs on Ghana when the country really needs them on the World Cup stage, they probably would have issued unconditional apology to the nation long time ago. Rather, what we have been hearing or noticing since this self-serving incident occurred in Brazil about six months ago is an uncivilized and dismissive attempt from some quarters to explain why the rich and famous national team players should not also be held accountable as if they are super-humans not subject to laws. We are not asking any player to express an apology to GFA or the Ministry of Sports; in fact, these officials owe Ghanaians apologies, too, in addition to showing some decency by turning in their resignation letters voluntarily. What needs to be stressed home is that in this contemporary soccer culture in which football talents are unearthed every day, no one needs to coddle any particular player to play for his national team if that individual is not willing to do so.

Almost all Ghanaians know that many of the public officials are opportunists and larcenists who operate on lies, and always speak from both sides of their mouths. We get that part. Nonetheless, no one —let alone those who called themselves professional footballers—has any legal right to violently hit another any official on the basis of a late monetary payment or a financial promise not delivered on time. To keep it real, Sulley Muntari's temper tantrum particularly in Brazil, and cheered on by his close pals Michael Essien and Kelvin Prince Boateng, were reprehensible and unacceptable in any modern soccer nation. Will Britain, Spain, or Israel FAs condone players' violence or unruly insubordination?

At this point, Mr. Avram Grant must focus on nurturing the young and the more disciplined players who are genuinely appreciative of the endless opportunities Ghana has given them to be where they are now, instead of acting as a potential “peace-broker” for Sulley Muntaris, Kelvin Boatengs, and Michael Essiens of this world. Ghanaians are tolerant people; but, that does not mean they also tolerate arrogance and disrespect. The country called Ghana is bigger and it will endure longer than anyone who sees his or herself as Ghanaian. Simple apology will not hurt anyone. All the Black Stars' players suspended by the Ghanaian sports authorities should not be invited to join the team via the backdoor. Let the indefinite suspension of the players stands till someone has enough common sense to simply say: I'm sorry, Ghana.

Bernard Asubonteng is socio political commentator; he can be reached at: [email protected]