It’s the end of the year. For the new generation, this is the weirdest year in our lives. A pandemic struck and put everything to a halt. It has now been left to us to gather the spoils and make sense of the events of the year.
While some wishes on this list look to be a mere formality, others are understandably a Herculean task. However, if this year has thought me anything, it is to always have hope. The hope that things will get better and that sports as we know it, will return to normalcy.
1. Sports wins the battle against COVID. Having studied it for a year, FIFA, CAF, UEFA and the IOC should be well equipped with the needed knowledge and develop a strategy to work around the issues related to COVID 19. This should ensure the proper organisation of their various sporting events scheduled for 2021.
2. In addition to point 1, it is my hope in the end, this fight is won. Fans returning to the stadium was a good thing and a huge step. It is however crucial that we continue to understand the virus and in no time, be in a position to put the pandemic behind us and have everything return to normalcy.
3.The Ghana Premier League continues to improve. The events of 2020, particularly effects of COVID 19 led to the annulment of the 2019/2020 season. A big blow as the league, for the first time in a long time was beginning to build some kind of euphoria with the public becoming interested once again. The comeback from the FA and other organisers has been strong and the upward trajectory should continue in the coming year.
4.Asamoah Gyan gives us one last hurrah. His return to the Ghana Premier League with Accra based Legon Cities FC was met with a lot of buzz. However, things haven’t really kicked on for both the player and the club but with veteran regaining full fitness, 2021 looks promising and just maybe, we can have the very best of Gyan for one more season before he calls it a day. Some new dance moves won’t be bad,also.
5. Ghana ends its AFCON drought in Cameroon. It was a disappointing tournament last time out in Egypt 2019 as the Black Stars were knocked out in the 1/8th stage of the competition. 2021 will be 39 years since Ghana last won the continental showcase and the tournament in Cameroon presents Ghana with yet another opportunity to end that drought.
6. Mikel Arteta and Edu clear up the mess at Arsenal. The FA Cup win in August was supposed to be the foundation on which Arsenal build and improve on. In a very open season where no side has particular been outstanding, Mikel Arteta’s men lie 13th with 20 points. 13 points off Liverpool in first place. A crucial January window lies ahead as Arsenal seek to correct the failings of the summer and improve the squad.
7.Steph Curry leads the Warriors to the playoffs,at least. With questions being asked on his greatness and ability to ‘carry a team’, Steph Curry has a point to prove in the 2020/2021 NBA season. With the injuries to Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, It all falls on Steph to lead the Warriors charge and shut his doubters once and for all.
8. Barcelona have a proper plan for Life after Messi. With the imminent departure of club captain and all time top scorer Lionel Messi looming, it is important for Barcelona to have in place, the perfect plan to be able to deal with the gap going to be left behind. They have a hint as to what not to do, having tried to replace Neymar three years ago.
9. Kylian Mbappe makes the right decision on his next move. The French star, in the last two years of his contract has a big decision to make on his next move. At age 22, the player tipped to be the biggest talent of his generation will not be short of suitors. However, previous cases show this decision, if not taken with all factors considered could have its own consequences.
10. Mohammed Kudus picks up from where he left off, before his injury. He was undoubtedly Ajax’s best player in the early stages of the season. But a meniscus injury, 9 minutes into his UEFA champions league debut at home to Liverpool meant the Ghanaian youngster had to spend a spell on the sidelines. As he resumes training, it is my hope that ‘the Kudus dream’ continues as it will be a big boost for both Ajax and Ghana, going into CAN 2021.
The past year has come with its own share of wins and losses. To the sporting greats such as Diego Maradona and Kobe Bryant,to name a few, who sadly passed on, we say may their souls rest in perfect peace.
But in all, we press on in the hope for a better 2021 and like my favourite Ghanaian music produce, Hammer, said of this year;
“This was the year microbes waged war on our way of life and failed terribly and the year health workers became the real heroes of our planet”
From everyone at TheGreenTurf, we wish you a Happy new year. Enjoy 2021.
The Green Turf 