Arop
Arop Jongchol
FREE KICK
Once again, every time the national football team squad is announced for qualifiers or a tournament, everyone suddenly becomes an analyst. This is evident in the reactions to the coach’s selection of players for the national team.
As voices rise calling for the inclusion of the most deserving players in the squad—whether from those affiliated with the sports media, social media users, or even passionate fans—many demand the inclusion of players they personally believe should be part of the team preparing to face the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
However, selecting the squad is purely the responsibility of the coaching staff, as they are ultimately accountable for the team’s success or failure. They answer to the administration, and any other opinions expressed remain personal viewpoints—some based on technical and logical analysis, while others are driven by emotion and loyalty.
This ongoing debate is nothing new in our sports community. We have witnessed it time and again with every coach who has taken charge of the national team.
The recent controversy has particularly intensified over the exclusion of goalkeeper Jamus Michael Marko from the “Bright Stars” squad, despite his outstanding performances as the first-choice goalkeeper for the league leaders. Additionally, the absence of striker Justin Azuma from Holy Family and Kator’s duo, Taku and Sandy, has sparked further discussions.
It is worth noting that the coach has fully utilized the opportunity presented by the Premier League being held in a centralized tournament format in Juba. This allowed him to closely observe player performances, giving him a broader scope for selection and even discovering players who previously had little to no chances of being called up.
Every player selected for the upcoming qualifiers has been chosen based on the national team’s representation standards as determined by the coaching staff. These are the players deemed worthy of wearing the national jersey, and they will bear the responsibility for either success or failure.
Therefore, all stakeholders in the country’s sports scene, including social media users and sports media, must respect the coach’s decisions and acknowledge his responsibility in this matter. More importantly, we must all rally behind our national team and create a supportive atmosphere during this crucial stage of the qualifiers, hoping they achieve positive results to improve their standing in Group B.
Admin
