Crisis of Confidence

Let’s not put too fine a face on it. Yesterday’s defeat to hosts Tunisia was pug-ugly.

Tunisia pressed the attack far harder than the Stars anticipated against a notably weaker Ghana defense and had a large measure of the success in the early going. The action culminated early with a ninth minute shot off the post by Ziad Jaziri that would prove the difference maker. The Tunisians continued to press and had numerous chances in the remainder of the half that the Stars were fortunate to have avoided.

The Carthage Eagles approached the second stanza more conservatively, but the Stars were able to mount no more attack than in the early-going, and the hosts converted an irrelevant penalty in the 75th minute to ice the affair.

Clearly, there is no reason for celebration in Accra. The CAN is only a week away and virtually no member of the squad has shown the improvement necessary to produce a favorable outcome. How do the faithful respond to the storm of difficulties that have arisen?

Some, such as the Grandmaster, head technician Ratomir Dujkovic have taken to preoccupation: ” I’m very preoccupied because I’m not satisfied with the performance of most of the players’ performance in today’s (Sunday) match.”

Legendary Great Abedi Ayew Pele shares these concerns, but keeps the faith: “For me it’s not too late, friendly matches are being played for you to see all these mistakes and correct them during the matches. This is just a wake up call.”

Perhaps the most representative response has come from Mr. Ambrose Derry, Upper West Regional Minister, who has asked the faithful to pray for the Black Stars in their quest to make a mark in the African Nations Cup. He believes that a collective effort of all the citizenry will be necessary to achieve CAN dominance and that prayer will provide the necessary motivation.

One hopes that Mr. Derry’s faith in the power of prayer is well-founded, and that he rallies considerable support. Given the Stars’ remarkable turnabout from undefeated 2005 to winless 2006, an exorcism might be more in order.