By Ken Bediako
There is no doubt that the dramatic return of Serbian football coach Milovan Rajevac to handle the Black Stars is the top topic in circulation currently. The hurried manner Charles Akunnor was booted out is also topical and the magical way the returnee coach was able to assemble 32 players in such a short period could be good script for filmmakers.
Milovan is touted as the expert tactician who nearly gave Ghana a record semi-final berth in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa 2010 but for some acrobatics by a certain Suarez from Uruguay. He is reported to have left Ghana unceremoniously after his magic in South Africa so he is returning to complete his unfinished ordained assignment to put Ghana on the world football map.
Without Milovan, the Black Stars flopped in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil punctured by player indiscipline and did not even qualify for the 2018 show in Russia so the GFA feel he is the chap to stop the rot.
Indeed, those who support Milovan’s second coming argue that a similar chance was given to German coach Burkhard Ziese who qualified the Black Stars for the 1992 Afcon in Senegal after 10 years in the wilderness since the 1982 triumph in Libya.
Some comparisons can be odious. As member of the Black Stars management committee headed by Prof Mills at the time, I can vouch for Burhard’s efficiency but it’s sad fact he was a disaster on his second coming and left Ghana without applause. May his soul rest in peace.
It is against this background that many sceptics fear the worst for Milovan.
As a born optimist, I don’t believe in such odious comparisons and I am prepared to back Milovan to prove the naysayers wrong. Some football commentators and analysts have waged a strong campaign against the Serbian dwelling more on his so-called high salary than his coaching skills. This is most unfair.
For me the excitement is the rapid manner the GFA sacked Akunnor then quickly formed a three-man Committee who within 72 hours found a coach who also within a few days was able to assemble a group of players and will this weekend parade a squad to meet Zimbabwe in Cape Coast.
All this looks good on paper but as the pundits say it is no good looking good without producing the goods. Football lovers expect an impressive winning form and nothing else.
All roads lead to Oguaa in expectation of the Milo magic.
