Football thrives on discipline. Team work, cooperation and organisation among players and management are the main ingredients that spice up the growth of any team. Without these a team would undoubtedly fail.

African European-based players usually brush aside these elements when they start to taste the beginning of their peak. They grow wings that fly above everybody. The media hype makes them demigods. Money and fame change their lifestyle from humility to arrogance.

They see themselves as untouchables. They dictate to management. The fans quickly run to their defence any time they are reprimanded for disrespectful acts. The time has come to drum into the ears of these ‘African football stars’ that they can be booted out at any point.

Earlier this month, key Angola striker Manucho of Spanish club Real Valladolid was suspended from the national team for arriving late for training. Although the country is hosting the next Africa Nations Cup, the national side did not give a hoot about the possible implications. They took very bold and decisive action against their player.

The rules must be followed, and that was exactly what Angola coach Manuel Jose did – fire to deter. The top striker later apologised, but the coach and the country’s minister of sport were not convinced he had a sincere heart.

A fortnight ago three top players of the Ghana national team failed to turn up for an international friendly against Angola. Reports say Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan sent an emissary to the airport to collect their passports from the team managers.

These are all European-based players. Their behaviour was outright disrespectful to the football authorities and the entire country. They arrogantly failed to offer any explanation and left their homeland to go on to their various clubs.

Under no circumstances would they dare venture such notorious and disgraceful behaviour towards their European managers. They would face the sack with immediate effect.

The fact that they are key players of the team does not mean they should do whatever pleases them at the expense of the entire unit. Their attitude does not help the team and has a negative impact on the local and young players who look up to them for guidance.

Two of them – Essien and Gyan – have apologised, but that does not absolve them from punishment. They should face the rules to serve as a deterrent to other players. They have set a very bad precedent that should not be allowed to remain in the history books of the country.

If a youngster or any of the local players had been one of them, he would have been dropped from the Black Stars’ list forever.

There is no doubt Ghana needs them, but they also need Ghana. They need their country to showcase their prowess at the platform that parades Africa’s finest players. It is a win-win affair and that should be respected.

They broke that contract. The Ghana FA should suspend them to learn their lessons. At least missing a match or two in Angola 2010 would be a wake up call for them and others that the Would Cup train could leave them too.

Let us give the chance to the youngsters, who are ready and willing to die for the country. There seem to be far too many untouchables in the squad, and they are far too often allowed to do whatever they like. It is not in Ghana alone, but across many African teams.

We should not let this continue. African federations should not spare the rod to spoil the child.

K.N.S. Mensah, Goal.com

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