In football, the element of surprise can be as crucial as the skill on the pitch. For the Black Stars of Ghana, this holds especially true.
Yet, the local media's hunger for early news, squad releases, and tactical revelations can undermine the national team's efforts.
England coachSouthgate's recent frustrations with his own media's leaks at the ongoing Euros should serve as a warning to Ghanaian journos and fans alike.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐
Southgate has faced significant challenges due to the English media at the Euros revealing sensitive info about his team. This includes details about team selection, player changes, and even the tactical systems England plans to use.
When this info is disclosed early, it provides opponents with a clear advantage. They can adapt their strategies and build plans to counteract England's approach effectively.
โWeโre trying to win a football tournament and our own media are leaking tactical information two hours after weโve walked off the training pitch,โ Southgate lamented.
His frustration is palpable and for good reason. These leaks don't just harm the team's chances; they give opponents like Holland ample time to prepare, thus nullifying any element of surprise.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ The situation isn't unique to England. Ghana media often fall into the same trap, prioritizing all news over the NT's success. Early release of squads, starting line-ups, and tactical details may make for exciting headlines, but they also serve as a playbook for opponents. How does this benefit the BS? It doesn't.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด:
- ๐จ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ: By leaking tactical info, the Ghanaian media inadvertently hand over a significant advantage to opponents. They can fine-tune their defenses and strategies, effectively countering Ghana's plans before a ball is even kicked.
- ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ถ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: When info leaks from within the camp, it sows distrust and disrupts team cohesion. Players & coaches need to feel secure that their strategies are safeguarded, not splashed across headlines.
- ๐จ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต: The coach, like Southgate, faces additional pressure when tactical secrets are exposed. Their ability to make last-minute changes or spring surprises is compromised, limiting their tactical flexibility.
๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐บ Southgate's words should resonate deeply with the Ghanaian media: โTheyโll excuse it by saying that theyโve got it from within the camp and maybe they have, but how does that help the team? How does it help the team to give the Swiss โ who might have been expecting us to play differently โ three days to work out what we might do?โ The role of sports journalism should be to support and enhance the team's efforts not hinder them.
Here are some steps the Ghanaian media can take:
- ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐: Hold off on publishing tactical details & starting line-ups until close to kick-off. This ensures opponents cannot use this information to their advantage.
- ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐-๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ: In-depth analysis after the game can be just as engaging for readers, offering insights into what worked and what didnโt without jeopardizing the team's strategy.
- ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐ง๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ: Develop a rapport with the NT where mutual respect is key.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ
We as Ghanaian journos must recognize that we play a crucial role in the BS' success. Protecting tactical info isn't about stifling the media; it's about prioritizing national pride & supporting the BS in their quest for glory.
By protecting the BS' tactics & selections, we can all contribute to their success and take pride in their achievements.