Stay or Go?

Today could be a momentous day for both Ghana football and its current head technician, the Grandmaster Ratomir Dujkovic. Following what is universally acknowledged to be a subpar performance on Egypt (although I might argue that only the pitiful Zimbabwe match was subpar- Ghana acquitted themselves well versus semifinalists Nigeria and Senegal), Dujkovic has been called to the table to give a formal accounting of himself and the squad’s CAN performance.

There is some indication that the proceedings are all sizzle and no steak. GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi has already stated his personal position that Dujkovic should stay on, and despite some public hue and cry there has been no real hangings in effigy or related signs that drastic measures should ensue. Nonetheless, there is something demeaning about being called to account for one’s shortcomings, and this could bring out the worst in the Grandmaster, a noted apologist.

The real question is, should he go? If CAN performance is the determining factor, I think not. As I noted above, the Nigeria and Senegal matches were generally solid and Ghana put itself in position for advancement from the Group of Death, but for the Zimbabwe debacle. To be sure the Zimbabwe match will forever live in infamy as one of the Black Stars’ darkest days. And Dujkovic’s strategy of starting Appiah and benching Amoah must be heartily questioned.

Ultimately though, the team that won a berth in Germany was not the team that participated at Zimbabwe, in total they were five regulars short. And while not being able to rein the Buffalo back from Chelsea was perhaps a tactical mistake, Dujkovic cannot be said to have lost all of his marbles just yet.

I think he should have another chance, and that we should maintain the continuity that we have built to maximize the Stars’ faint chances in Germany. And that means keeping the Grandmaster, even if held in check.