Is this FIFA World Cup revealing something subconsciously darker than many of us care to admit? Or these are merely isolated incidents?
Following England’s goalless draw with Ghana, the England captain referred to his opponents as “these type of nations.” The remark has understandably not gone down well with many Ghanaians, who felt it was insulting and diminished what was, in truth, a highly disciplined and tactically accomplished performance.
Yes, the draw was frustrating for England but only because they believed Ghana to be a cool chop. But, they rather got exposed not to have a response to Ghana’s game plan and yet still talked down how they were out-manoeuvred in post-match reviews!
It also brought to mind comments by Bastian Schweinsteiger (please don’t ask me what it means in German), the former German midfielder and now a television pundit, after Germany’s narrow victory over Côte d’Ivoire. Germany needed a late chance to escape with the win, yet his assessment struck many as surprisingly dismissive of the Ivorians, despite the balance of play suggesting a contest between two evenly matched sides.
Perhaps these are isolated examples of poor wording. But they are more than likely not.
One thing this World Cup is making increasingly clear, however, is that the more FIFA opens the competition to teams from every continent, the higher the standard of football becomes. Greater inclusion has not diluted the tournament. It has enriched it. Nations once regarded as outsiders are proving, through regular exposure to elite competition, that they possess the tactical sophistication, technical quality and mental resilience to compete with anyone.
The question, then, is whether our mindset and language have kept pace with that reality.
Too often, when traditional football powers are frustrated by African, Asian or CONCACAF teams, the discussion subtly shifts from praising the underdog’s quality to explaining the favourite’s disappointment. European teams are often applauded for their tactical discipline; African teams employing the same discipline are sometimes described merely as making the game “difficult.”
Words matter. They shape perceptions. And perceptions often reveal assumptions we may not even realise we hold.
Let us use this World Cup to not only change the footballing landscape. Let us use it to also help change some long-held assumptions about where world-class football comes from and reminding ourselves that excellence has always been more widely distributed than the game itself once allowed us to see.
Let us all learn from Declan Rice that prejudice is wrong. Let’s give all teams the opportunity to prove themselves where it matters, on the pitch.
Our Firm - Merton & Everett LLP - is representing A mother with an infant baby who was recently repatriated from South Africa.
Apparently before she left for SA, she had a money dispute with someone who reported her to the Police. In her absence, a bench warrant was issued for her unknown to her.
When she arrived at the airport with the repatriation flight, she was detained by immigration and arraigned at the Dansoman Circuit Court.
Our application for bail for her was denied. Mother and infant baby remain in cells.
She must be happy to be b3rk!
Shalom.
Tomorrow over 100,000 Ghanaians in the Greater Accra region will wake up before 6am to trek early to the junction or lorry station to queue for a bus to take them as close to their work destinations as possible. Some are coming from recently flooded homes and others will have to battle jumping over mud and puddles or else have stained shoes.
Our minister will be sleeping as she is duly tired from carrying all the heavy weight of her award as best performing regional minister in Ghana.
In Ghana every journalist claims to have heard or know who Carlos will call or drop. They go like "i like what Carlos is doing", "Carlos isn't listening to anyone" etc yet they are unable to drop even one surprising name. In other countries as soon as journalists are sure of what they have heard they publish it on it on their platforms. Or they stay silent without suggesting to have some information.
Here, everyone claims to be an insider with nothing to show for it.
Mo nni information biaa masa.
You hide like a thief to call players into our U 15 and U 17. You neglect the true grassroots football teams and call players belonging to your teams and trams of your friends. You see, we can't be among 10 countries to go to the World Cup. God is always awake . Shame on U Zuuku