The sight of
Ghana forward Abedi “Dede”Ayew bawling like a baby at the end of the 2015 Afcon
tournament final was heartrending but such is the nature of the sport that the
great Brazilian Pele once described as ‘the beautiful game.’
Football can
be beautiful but it can be cruel too, and very cruel for that matter.
Imagine the
different feelings that were at play among both sets of players when the
Ghanaians were two up during the penalty shoot-out.
We all saw
how even the usually unexcitable Avram Grant pumped his fist in the air when it
seemed like Ghana were on their way to lifting the title.
But alas,
after a couple of misses the tide swiftly turned and the Ivorians, who had
appeared downcast after falling behind, had the last laugh at the end of the
day.
And while
everyone with a heart felt sorry for Dede, those who have followed the African
game in the last decade could not help but feel happy for the Ivorians,
especially the Toure brothers Kolo and Yaya.
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| Kolo Toure |
The
Elephants have over the years earned themselves a reputation for choking when
it mattered most for the way they always flattered only to deceive despite the
massive talent in their ranks.
Sunday’s
victory should therefore be an example to all of us how is pays to persevere.
A lot of
people, myself included, had long dismissed the Toure brothers as Afcon failures
after they alongside their equally talented teammates that include the
legendary Didier Drogba, Aruna Kone, Didier Zokora, Bacary Kone and Aruna
Dindane had since 2006 been faltering when it mattered most.
But like we
have always been told that it does not matter how many times you fall but what
matters is the ability to pick oneself up and forge ahead, the Toure brothers
soldiered on and finally struck gold in Equatorial Guinea.
Kolo and
Yaya, who turn out for Liverpool and Manchester City respectively in England,
could have easily quit international football and concentrated on their highly
paying careers at club level after experiencing heartbreak with their national
team but they hung in there and their resilience has paid off.
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| Ivory Coast skipper Yaya Toure hoists aloft the Afcon trophy |
The experience of the Toure brothers can serve
as an example for the heartbroken and disappointed Dede Ayew and this is the
advice that Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard told journalists during his post
match interview that he had imparted on the Marseille star.
The thing
about penalties is that the losing team will feel a lot of pain.
It is never
nice to lose a match on penalties but Dede should not lose heart and instead
realise that penalties are like a lottery and luck was not on their side on
Sunday.
Ghana played
very well throughout the tournament and since their squad is dominated by
youngsters; their time to lift the trophy may come in forthcoming editions.
As the son
of Ghana legend Abedi Pele, Dede may be under pressure to surpass the exploits
of his father but time is still on his side and he and his team mates should take
heart because they are still young and they will compete for the Afcon and
World Cup titles in the coming years.
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| Andre 'Dede' Ayew takes instruction from Ghana coach Avram Grant |
So I feel
that the Toure brothers are a great example of never giving up.
They finally
won the Afcon title after losing it six times, yes guys six times.
And to cap
it all Manchester City talisman Yaya led his team to victory as the team’s captain.
Never give
up on your dreams, no matter how hard you fall, pick yourself up and try again.
Take failure
as God’s way of saying not now my child, later, or this is not part of the
great plans I have you
Go out there
and do your Best and God will handle the Rest for you.
God Is Love
Emma
(pics courtesy online)
(pics courtesy online)
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