Okanu Emelumba
25 October 2009
There is no doubt that every football cup final must produce a winner. But in some football cup finals, it is always difficult to predict the winner until the final whistle. This is particularly so if the teams could be assessed to have equal strengths. In a situation, however, where their strength is uneven, the winner is not difficult to predict.
The FIFA U-20 World Cup final between Ghana and Brazil on October 16, was a match of this standard. Most football analysts favoured Brazil to win the trophy. This belief was hinged on Brazil's pedigree in global soccer. They have been four-time champions of this competition and no African team had beaten them at this stage of the event. Again, considering the phobia African teams have before any match against Brazil, it will be a great surprise if Ghana can play well, let alone beat Brazil.
Brazil are regarded as a "soccer power" in world soccer and their records are intimidating. For many African teams, playing Brazil is a nightmare. Not many countries cherish a clash with Brazil, especially with the belief at the back of their minds that victory is not assured.
As a matter of fact, only European teams or fellow South American teams do upstage them in soccer competitions. African teams play Brazil with great trepidation and respect, and this often costs them victories in games with the South Americans. This, no doubt, must have been the situation with Ghana's Black Satellites as they filed out for the epic encounter.
The Atlanta'96 triumph was a turning point in African soccer as the Nigerian U-23 Olympic team, the Dream Team I, did the impossible to snatch victory from the jaws of Brazil. That loss gave the Samba men many days of sorrow. But it also re-energised African aspirations in soccer.
Nigeria went ahead to win the Olympic gold and soon after, Cameroon followed. Such was the importance of beating the super powers. African teams no longer had any phobia for Argentina and Brazil. The Egypt 2009 feat by Ghana is most likely to spur other African countries to similar victories.
But unlike the Olympic soccer gold which Nigeria won in 1996 with a foreign coach, Johaness Bonfrere, Ghana did theirs with an indigenous coach, Sellas Tetteh, who at present, is the torch-bearer of African soccer. The ex-international and former ACB player had earlier in the year, guided the Black Satellites to victories in Rwanda in the African Youth Championship, and a WAFU tourney. Interestingly, history maker Sellas Tetteh never lost a match in those campaigns.
Out of the historic victories that Tetteh recorded this year, the most memorable, and adored by Africans is his triumph over Brazil at the Cairo International Stadium on October 16, 2009.
It was history making indeed, because, the Black Satellites were never expected to beat Brazil who were no doubt, favourites for the U-20 World Cup trophy, especially as four- time champions. No doubt, Ghana must have had revenge against Brazil at the back of their minds, having lost 2-1 to the South Americans in the 2003 edition in the United Arab Emirates.
Determined, as it seemed on this mission, the Tetteh-totured side did not waiver when the team lost a player, via a harsh red card in the 37th minute. Rather, they went ahead to play the much fancied Brazilians to a standstill. Unbelievably for 83 minutes, including 30 minutes extra-time.
The Ghanaian side, faced with such adversity of less than one man, proved to be worthy ambassadors of the Black African race. The match which was tactical and disciplined, was a game in which Ghana did not only show the ability to soak pressure from the Brazilians, but also stood the onslaught of the free-scoring Auriverde for an uncertain 83 minutes. At the end, the result was a barren draw. Such resilience and bravery are not common with African national teams at that level.
It is a standard Tetteh has set and other African coaches will have no option than borrow a leaf from.
The Ghana coach had after the historic victory, said: "It is something people have to speak about, it is everything. We were well composed. We made less mistakes and when it went to penalty kicks, we were determined because, we have come from afar and were well motivated to win. We were tactically strong; we frustrated the Brazilians when we were one man down..."
His Brazilian counterpart, Rogerio Lourenco, rued his side's missed chances. He said: "I told the players to create chances and they did. We were not able to score, but they have done a great job throughout the tournament. When it gets to penalties, there is nothing you can blame or regret."
Enthralling and energy-sapping as the final was, analysts belief this is Africa's year of football. This year, the African continent has been privileged to host three FIFA organized tournaments.
These are the Confederation Cup in South Africa in which Egypt and South Africa represented the continent without clinching the main trophy; the U-20 World Cup in Egypt which Ghana won, and the on-going U-17 World Cup in Nigeria. It is therefore, memorable that of the three FIFA organised events, Africa was not allowed to go home empty-handed.
Congratulations to the Black Satellites' technical bench, players and management for the FIFA U-20 World Cup win. But more thanks should go to the coach himself who had set a standard that other coaches must refer to on their job.
Tetteh is the Man of the Moment, both in Ghana and Africa. His achievements speak for him. After winning three trophies alone this year, he has no doubt, built a glittering resume, especially after being the first coach and a local one at that, to give Africa her first ever U-20 World Cup.
Tetteh has come a long way in his coaching career. After seven years of acting as a Black Stars assistant coach, he was asked to coach the Stars on temporary basis, but was relieved of the post because the Ghana Football Association president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, said he was not prepared for the job.
That was when the Satellites job was handed over to him and he has gone ahead to make history. The Ghana triumph will no doubt, propel other African nations to go for similar feats in subsequent FIFA U-20 World Cups.
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