In 1992, the media kept on reporting about an alleged feud between Akwasi Appiah and Abedi Pele. Tony Yeboah was later dragged in with persistent reports that he was fighting Abedi over the captaincy band. As a result of this media blitz, the 1992 crack side could not lift the African Cup of Nations, which was hosted by Senegal.
Many years down the line, the media is again trying to create a wedge between the current captain of the Black Stars, Asamoah Gyan, and his Deputy, Dede Ayew.
For some time now, the media landscape has been replete with reports about the supposed bad blood between the two senior players of the national team.
Yesterday, myjoyonline reported that skipper Asamoah Gyan has frowned at reports in the local media suggesting Andre Ayew’s admiration for the captaincy has sparked a bitter quarrel between the two.
Gyan, according to the story, insists he has a warm and friendly relationship with Andre Ayew. Asamoah Gyan, however, warned that the false speculations were likely to bring a feud between the two great friends, who are working together for the success of the team.
“I don’t have a problem with Andre. He has been my friend way back. Since he joined the national team, I have been his inspiration,” Gyan told Joy FM, adding, “Sometimes people try to bring this rivalry between two stars in the team. We have seen this before in the olden days, but I always try to keep things real. I don’t have any problem with Ayew.
“He’s a great guy, a fighter on the field and plays with his heart. My advice to people is to stop putting this rivalry between two players who are good to each other. People should stop, because when they do that, it brings conflict, and will not help the team,” he added.
The Chronicle does not know what the media is seeking to achieve with the promotion of these kinds of stories. Asamoah Gyan is still the captain – he has neither resigned, nor been removed from the position by the coach of the team.
Clearly, what is going on is a clandestine attempt being made by some faceless people to push out Asamoah Gyan from the captaincy.
Andre Ayew, like his father – Abedi Pele – always tries to ‘kill’ himself anytime he dons the national jersey. It was through his quality leadership that Ghana won the World Under-20 Cup in Egypt, a couple of years ago.
In simple terms, Dede has prepared himself to take over the leadership position of the national team, which he deserves.
But since his senior brother, Asamoah Gyan, has not retired, he has to wait till the right time comes for him to assume the position. Indeed, Dede himself has not made any public statement that Asamoah must give way to him.
On the basis of this, why should the media continue to knock his ahead against that of Gyan, just to create confusion in the team, as happened in 1992?
From all indications, Asamoah Gyan has about two years to play for the Black Stars – meaning he would soon be going on retirement.
It would, therefore, be better for Gyan to hand over peacefully to Dede, after announcing his retirement from the team, than to force him out, as the media is seeking to do.
Andre Ayew is definitely the next Captain of the Black Stars, but the media should allow him to take over at the right time, to ensure the peace and stability of the team.
Ghana is now preparing for the World Cup qualifying series, and this is not the time to be publishing some of these stories, which have the potential to de-rail the goal of the team.
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