| Zambia came with home based players to the just | | | | 4. Our local league: I am beginning to see that in the |
| concluded African Nations' Cup in Angola and almost | | | | near future our local league would become the rallying |
| edged us out of the tournament if not for hard luck. | | | | point to deliver us from this present stalemate. |
| How many players in the Burkina Faso team where | | | | Players in the globacom premier league should be |
| professionals? I think a lot of things have actually | | | | given recognition; only then would they be motivated |
| gone wrong with our team and until these things are | | | | to do well and at the same time prevent them from |
| corrected our football would not get better. | | | | running from the league to look for greener pasture |
| 1. Corruption must stop: The issue of certain players | | | | elsewhere. Some even end up in leagues that are not |
| having to settle the authorities for inclusion into the | | | | as good as Nigeria's. Coach Clemens Westerhoff |
| national team has to stop. Apart from that, | | | | succeeded here because he was able to blend the |
| God-fatherism must also stop. Merit should be the | | | | home based and the foreign based players together |
| only criterion for justifying one's inclusion in the team. | | | | without anybody having a guaranteed shirt. That |
| Besides, when players are promised certain amount | | | | promotes a fair and healthy competition in the team |
| as match bonuses that same amount should get to | | | | and brings out their best performance. |
| them; nothing should be deducted in the name of | | | | 5. Soccer Academies: Develop soccer academies |
| settlement. | | | | where young talents would be groomed. |
| 2. Player welfare: The era of abandoning an injured | | | | 6. School sports: Secondary school soccer |
| player to his fate must stop. This reminds me; when | | | | competitions should be encouraged to discover |
| Michael Essien was injured and was hospitalized in | | | | young talents as well. |
| England, President John Kuffour went to visit him in | | | | 7. A good coach: There are nice coaches like Carlo |
| hospital to show him how much the people of Ghana | | | | Ancelotti, Josep Guardiola, Guus Hiddink, Sir Alex |
| cared about him. In our own case, once a player is | | | | Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Fabio Capello, etc whom |
| injured he is left to take care of himself. Do you think | | | | we can hire to deliver the goods to us. |
| players would put in their best under such situations? | | | | 8. Training: Regular training, including friendly matches |
| 3. Continuity: There should be a deliberate policy put | | | | would help put the team in proper shape, promote |
| in place to ensure continuity in our national teams. | | | | understanding and make them well prepared for any |
| People should be able to graduate from one team to | | | | competition at any given time. |
| another. They should not be thrown away | | | | When we do the right things we shall surely get the |
| immediately after achieving a major feat at the junior | | | | right results. |
| level. | | | | |