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THE INSIDE VIEW

It is said that countries get the governments they deserve and the press they deserve, so perhaps they also get the football teams they deserve. This week, Ghanaians heartily believe so. In the run-up to the 26th Africa Cup of Nations in Accra, Ghanaian pride at hosting the tournament was suffused with concern about the absence from their team, due to injury, of outstanding midfielder Steven Appiah. The worries were not laid to rest until the final minutes of the opening match between Ghana’s Black Stars and Guinea, when Sulley Muntari cannoned a 25-yard shot into the top corner of Guinea’s goal, giving Ghana a 2-1 victory. The pre-eminence of football across Africa means that tournament carries enormous political significance. A Black Stars victory would swell support for the ruling New Patriotic Party in December’s elections; a crushing defeat and the fans will look for political scapegoats. Some explain the lacklustre performance of the Nigerian and South African teams as reflective of the political turmoil in their respective countries. The stakes are high for Bafana Bafana and their Brazilian coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, as South Africa prepares to host the World Cup in 2010. Côte d’Ivoire’s stars see politics as a challenge: both Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are campaigning for Ivoirian politicians to promote peace this year. So far that has been the most elusive goal of all.