Ghana Black Stars once again failed to reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The supposed best football nation in Africa could not make it to grand Final after reaching their sixth Semi Final in succession, making people disappointed and sad.
So after 35 years, Ghana could not grab the opportunity of going to the final as they were edged out by a disciplined and well-groomed Cameroun side.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroun who could not come to the Nations Cup with eight players were too good last Thursday as they fought a good battle and won against the highly-rated Ghanaians.
But for the Black Stars of Ghana, it has been discovered that many factors caused the defeat and they could have dropped out of the competition after the group stage matches.
The blame game has begun with the general public and football fans saying what they like in the beauty of Democracy.
The first blame is forwarded to Israeli coach Avram Grant who loves to stay abroad to coach the Black Stars and after two years has not discovered or unearth a rising star or star. He displayed his tactical bankruptcy and low knowledge of the African game, as he was seen depending on luck to survive, but not hard work.
He did not trust the players that he selected (especially those on the bench) and it was evident that he could not substitute players who were either tired or not performing well on the pitch. Against Congo DR, he could not make a substitution when some of the players were visibly tired.
He was dull at the bench whenever Ghana played, and did not push his team far in the competition when it was evident that Ghana has the potential to win.
One other blame factor is Razak Braimah who took time of his busy schedule to insult Ghanaians because they were not happy or satisfied with the output of the Black Stars at the 2017 Nations Cup.
Asamoah Gyan, the skipper is also being blamed of greed as he should have allowed other fit players to play when he was not fit to feature.
The blamers say he should not have played in the last two games for others like Ebenezer Assifua, Samuel Tetteh and Ben Terkpetey to be tried.
Another blame is on Kwesi Nyantekyi, the GFA President who said at the last press conference of the Black Stars in Ghana that the team is not selected like it is done in Parliamentary or District Council Elections, when the media asked why there are no local players in the team.
Strangely, the blame went far into politics as former Sports Minister Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuije was also blamed for his leadership style that lead to his party NDC losing the General Elections.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) party members and supporters also did not back the Black Stars in Gabon due to the players accepting to collect $5,000 after the former Sports Minister offered them $8,000.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) party feel betrayed by the Black Stars and did not even want the team to win to add to the achievements of New Patriotic Party (NPP) led Nana Akufo Addo.
The blame game went as far to hit former skipper of the Black Stars and the most successful footballer having won the Africa Best Footballer three times.
They said he has dominated the team with his sons and they feel the national team is for them.
That was why enterprising forward, Jordan Ayew shed tears when he scored the important goal against Congo DR that took Ghana to the Quarter Final.
The Media have not been spared of the blame game. They were accused of being unprofessional and discuss or write about issues that do not foster unity or development. Most of the Sports Journalists in Ghana are not well trained and only talk about football, especially the radio presenters.
So, the blame game continues, and would be so till Ghana sack Avram Grant and replace him with a local coach because no foreigner has ever won the Africa Cup for Ghana.
Others want Kwesi Nyantekyi the GFA President to give way for new ideas after over ten years, but that can only happen after his term of office.
Ghanaians are very passionate about football, so they say there are 25 million coaches in Ghana who know how to make the Black Stars winsome.
For the records, not all Ghanaians are supporting the Black Stars. Even some old star players who were not treated fine in their glorious days are also against the team spiritually.
The louder suggestion is that the team must be dissolved, and a new set of players selected because Ghana has lots of talented players world wide.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
