MILO MUST LIFT HIS GAME (MARCH 10)

MOST football fans in Ghana and around the world who followed and monitored the just-ended inaugural Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) held in Cote d’Ivoire must be reeling with anger and disappointment over the Black Stars’ failure to lift the cup against DR Congo last Sunday.
Indeed, having beaten the Congolese 3-0 at the group stage, a victory which helped the Stars to advance in the competition and go as far as to the final, most fans felt it was a matter of course for them to win again in the final.
But those who follow football dispassionately realise that football does not follow such logic.
Already, the post mortem of what could have gone wrong for the Stars to lose out on such a historic glory to win an inaugural tournament has begun. Painful as it is to lose out at such a crucial moment, there are some realities that we must all face in football, the basic being that the game is full of uncertainties and that there are only three results — a win, a draw or a loss.
And on the day that the Stars lost, they did not lose to an ordinary side but one that was well-drilled, had shown consistency and was determined not to lose to the same side for the second time.
Typical of Ghanaians, people are already calling for the head coach, Milovan Rajevac, to be fired. Unfortunately, with other important assignments as the 2010 World Cup qualifiers so close, sacking the coach may not be in Ghana’s best interest.
However, the DAILY GRAPHIC is of the opinion that there are certain obvious issues that need to be sorted out to avert further disappointment and heartbreak.
It is obvious that Milo’s inability to speak English affects effective communication with the players and this was evident when he decided to stay in the stands when he was banned to operate through his assistant, Kwesi Appiah.
The inconsistent performance of the team, both the local and regular Black Stars, seems to be another worrying development. They either play well in the first half and flop in the second half or vice versa.
Already, his record as the Stars coach for both the local and the regular teams is ordinary — out of 13 games played, he has won three, drawn seven and lost three — and he has had more than enough time to settle down to the job.
The Daily Graphic is of the opinion that there is little time to waste in preparing for the 2010 qualifiers, with Ghana hosting Benin on March 29. All that Ghanaians look for in our game against Benin is a good and convincing win for the Stars to give the country a good start in our preparations towards South Africa 2010.
In view of the crucial nature of the qualifiers, this is not the time to revive the debate on whether a local or foreign coach is best for the Stars.
What matters most now is that Rajevac must lift up his game if he is to gain the trust and confidence of Ghanaians who play no mean role in the success of the national team.
With the World Cup qualifiers, he cannot afford to gamble with our determination to participate in the World Cup tournament on African soil.
Milovan should not joke with the passion of the nation.