“Two nil…Sulley Muntari. They’ve got it at last. They created and missed a fucking lot of chances but Sulley muntari has scored the second and the wild celebrations can begin in Ghana.” This was how the commentator described Ghana’s second goal against then world second ranked team, the Czech Republic, at Germany 2006. It has always remained a memorable moment, isn’t it?

Talk about Ghana football and some names readily come to mind. C.K Gyamfi, Abedi Ayew Pele, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio and the dribbling magician, Mohammed Polo, are probably household names as far as the game of football is concerned. Ghana in entirety is a great football nation, more so after our maiden appearance at the mundial(world cup).

Before recent times, Ghana had always relied on past glories. Fortunately for us, those glorious moments are back and indeed have come to stay. In this episode, I will attempt to look at the contribution of the current managers of Ghana football to the rise or otherwise of the game in this country.

Three years ago, we were at the world cup as one of Africa’s representatives. Not only did the Black Stars do us proud, they also momentarily united the country. Ghana’s under-17 male and female teams answered the call at the youth world cups. Both teams were impressive. Do you remember the Host and Win? Well it did not materialize. However, we won bronze on home soil after convincingly beating tournament favourites Cote d’Ivoire. The Black Satellites also won gold at Rwanda 2009 and have crowned that with a gold medal at the world Cup. Ghana is the first African country to achieve that fate. The Black Stars were the first in Africa after host South Africa to qualify for the world cup, South Africa 2010.

FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi acted as GFA Chairman from May 2005 until he was elected as President of the Association. The aforementioned activities are some of the achievements of the FA President and his team. The current Football Association is more marketable than ever. There is an improved corporate involvement in the activities of the Ghana Football Association. The Glo Premier league is more profitable now. Thanks to the very articulate young lawyer and his team of administrators. The popularity and international attention that Ghana has been associated with over the recent past is greatly attributable to football. The general ascendency of the game has positively impacted on our brand as a country.

It doesn’t all look flourishing though. Under the tenure of President Kwesi Nyantakyi, the Black Queens failed to glitter at the last African Championship in Equatorial Guinea. There was an abysmal showing by the Black Meteors in their quest to qualify for the Olympic Games. Nigeria took that slot. The bigger picture however, is positive and bright.

The difference between the Nyantakyi-led GFA and others is that the current FA boss is more result oriented. He understands the game perfectly and allows the structures within to work by themselves. Kwesi Nyantakyi understands the business aspect of football and no wonder we have corporate bodies eagerly willing to partner the various National teams.

Suffice it to say, there are certain things I would want you to take a look at, Mr. President. Women football in the country has taken a nosedive. We want an active revamp of women soccer in the country. The Black Queens, just like their male counterparts, should have a major sponsor. I believe it will adequately solve a great deal of motivational problems in the team.

The executive committee of the FA should sit with the technical bench of the Black Stars. For me, inasmuch as Eric Addo continues to play in the defence of the Black Stars, many Ghanaians will be uncomfortable. I do not mean to say Eric Addo is not a good player or does not deserve a Black Stars call up, far from that. I strongly believe that he will do well in his preferred position as a defensive midfielder. He can actively compete with Anthony Annan for that position. The likes of Jonathan Quartey, Jonathan Mensah and other established central defenders should be given the playing time to partner John Mensah. Nana Kwesi Asare, Lee Addy, David Addy and good old Hans Adu Sarpei should be considered as far as the left back position is concerned. I strongly believe that there is no reason for which Sadat Bukari is not in the Black Stars when the likes of Opoku Agyemang, Prince Antwi and Samuel Kyere are called up every now and then. Derek Boateng, Prince Boabeng and Kevin Boateng should also be braising up to take over from Stephen Appiah. I hope the Coach Milovan is aware. This is my opinion.

Under your tenure, we qualified for the world cup in 2006, the first time ever. We will also answer the call in South Africa 2010. The Black Satellites have been crowned world champions. Under your tenure we also failed to realize the host and win dream. What we want in 2010 is the Nations Cup trophy which would be hosted in Angola. An African cup conquest will adequately propel the Black Stars to more laurels at the world cup. The Ghana Football Association should liaise with the government towards the possibility of hosting either the African youth championship (Under-17) or the African Women’s Championship. The Premier League Board (PLB) should whip up enthusiasm in the local league. The various clubs should also perk up their games because football fans will not pay money to watch boring games. I believe there is a lot of quality in the local league. Let us sell that quality to the many soccer loving fans.

I am confident that many laurels will come the way of Ghana. Administratively, structures within the FA should continue to operate effectively. And only the sky will be our springboard as a football nation. Thank You Mr. President.


Credit: Eugene Bawelle
Email: bawelleeugene@yahoo.com