A fireside chat with the Grandmaster

Leading up to the African Nations Cup, Ghana head technician Ratomir Dujkovic has been quite the center of attention. Maybe this is unsurprising, as so many of his stalwarts have gone missing from the official roster

What is surprising is the emotional tenor of his remarks in anticipation of what could be one of the great successes of his career. While downright morose might be an unjustified description, one could certainly qualify his comments as whiny and self-serving. Let’s have a listen shall we?

On the pressure cooker that is high level African Nations Cup: ““I just think it’s unfair that everybody not just wishes but demands from me to win this Cup,” and “I feel big pressure on me for this competition, everyone’s pressing me to win this competition and I think it’s not fair.”

On his perception of his standing among the hoi polloi: “Now with these injuries I’m in trouble because I cannot promise anything to Ghanaians. They’re pressing me, I don’t like to work this way.”

On working with a reduced cast of players: “they should know that this atmosphere is not my dream environment to work in.”

On how he rates his chances in Egypt: “We’re in a tough group and we don’t have options, so it’ll be very difficult to win this trophy because of the three injured players. Fifteen or twenty days ago we were candidates for this trophy but now we’re not because of the injuries and we have to accept this.”

Unfairly treated and pressured, working in an unpleasant environment, laboring under heavy expectations with no realistic expectation of victory? Enough, Man! Get a grip on yourself and show some leadership!

Yet one cannot underrate the subtle psychological gamesmanship of the Grandmaster. Certainly his words can lull the unwary into submission as the cobra does his prey. And setting expectations low ahead of the Group of Death may well extend his stay with the Stars yet a little longer.

All of this will be determined soon enough on the pitch. Ultimately, we will find out there whether his ripostes are the song of a siren or the whining antics of a little man who has overindulged after a small taste of success.