Me and My BIG Mouth: An Apology Rendered Too Late

The wise saying that �When first things are done second, error is most times inevitable,� fittingly typifies Sulley Muntari�s apology to Stars� coach Milovan Rajevac and the FA. After allowing a lot of water to pass under the bridge, the Inter Milan midfielder has now realised that he is not indispensable after all, and has rendered an apology for his gross misconduct. A good name, they say, is better than riches, and his calculated attempt to use Michael Essien to champion his cause (Apology) attest to the fact that Essien enjoys a high level of goodwill, not only in Ghana, but across the globe. To forgive is divine, but Muntari has demonstrated over the years by his sense of indocility that he is not ready to change his ways and therefore, does not deserve the nation and the coach�s forgiveness. Even the good book says if a father fails to discipline his child, he prepares him or her for destruction. Spare the rod�Jettisoning Muntari from the Angola trip will send a strong signal to the rest of the team and will serve as a good benchmark. It is high time the football authorities made the players aware that they are not bigger than the nation and, therefore, should take Ghanaians for granted. His uncouth behaviour towards the former Youth and Sports Minister, Alhaji Mubarak Mohammed-Muntaka, should have been condemned, but we looked on unconcerned, a situation which culminated in his absence from the Mali-Ghana World Cup qualifier. He has consistently demonstrated gross misconduct both on and off the pitch, and the earlier he took a stock of his behaviour, the better it will be for him. I think Milo hit the nail on the head by not including him for the Angola 2010 assignment; at least it will instill some amount of discipline in him. Good show Milo, Ghanaians will forever remember you if you will stick to this disciplinary trait. However, you will incur their displeasure if you eat back your words by including him in your squad before the CAF January 10 deadline (Trust me). The absence of Muntari�s caliber from the Black Stars� squad should have generated public outcry, but most people seem to be content with his exclusion; very sad, isn�t it? To err is human, but Muntari has created so many enemies for himself, and it is prudent that he repents genuinely so that his �sins� will be blotted out.