Thirst for domestic football action

Referee Seidu Bomison in action at a league venue. 

The uncertainty and near state of hopelessness that have clouded the domestic football landscape seems to be a perfect climax to a year that saw not only Kumasi Asante Kotoko but also our arch rivals Hearts of Oak struggling for Premier League survival. Events for the two most popular clubs took a downward spiral, causing massive disappointments for Kotoko and Hearts fans.

Although the two teams eventually survived the turmoil especially with relegation, the dust appears not to have settled properly on that loathsome Kotoko-Hearts-Obed Owusu protest. As a journalist with Kotoko, I probably don’t have to be concerned if the review of the judgement by the Appeals Committee, sought by Hearts hasn’t seen any illumination by the GFA.

I perhaps don’t have to be interested in how that case finally ends because after all, Kotoko got the vexatious Disciplinary Committee ruling that docked the club six points overturned. Indeed, I would have cared less if I didn’t have interest in the domestic league. I would have of course spent no energy on my sickbed revisiting this matter.

I don’t expect Hearts to secure what they are looking for concerning this case. I don’t even believe they would get judgement turned in their favour. As I said in a radio interview sometime back, although Hearts’ apologists didn’t admit, the ultimate aim of that exasperating ruling by the Disciplinary Committee, was to offer Hearts, then caught neck deep in the relegation battle, some respite if not the impetus to confront their last two decisive matches.

Thankfully, that objective was achieved so why are they so bent on having the very lucid judgment of the Appeals Committee reviewed? Whatever the outcome of that case will be, its handling adds to the confusing and almost inept management of the domestic league this year.

As someone with a passion for our local game, the present situation, where we don’t know when the 2015/16 season will start, isn’t only boring. It also raises questions about how and when we will see an end to this type of deadlock, not seen in any well-administered football league. I wouldn’t have been writing this way if this was the first time such a thing was happening.

Prior to the start of the 2014/15 season, we were subjected to this painful ordeal of having to wait so long to pursue what brings us joy when it comes to domestic football. Whatever has brought us to this point, and I hate to interrogate it, may have its own merits but the fact that, we are back at experiencing what caused so much disaffection between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and local football fans in 2014, tells me we have learnt nothing.

As I have written in previous articles, I don’t want to be seen as constantly criticizing the GFA because my conviction is that, the FA, regardless of the often harsh criticism and habitually unfair bashing it receives, isn’t a hopeless, visionless establishment as some want us to see it. They have been up to some good and constructiveness except that, their management of the domestic league has recently left so much to be desired.

An example of the useful things the GFA has been up to is the media and marketing seminar they are organizing this week for club administrators. As an advocate of good management and administrative practices in our football, it’s only fair that, I pat the GFA on their back for that initiative.

Irrespective of how dull the domestic football scene has looked lately as a result of the boring inactivity, the congregation of administrators, media and venue officers at a two-day seminar on the much talked about club licensing programme, marketing and sponsorship – to essentially build capacity – in fact, access knowledge on what they may not know, isn’t a bad scheme.

Whether it’s coming as an after-thought or a planned programme, the importance of the event taking place at the Alisa Hotel in Accra can’t be downplayed. It’s good, but GFA, please, get the season back, for those with a thirst for domestic football action are suffering. 

Orientation for Kotoko players – my take

The choice to look at things from a positive angle or from a negative perspective always lies with us as a people. I have however observed that, the energy some of us spend focusing on negativity often outweighs everything else in our blood. That’s serious. Some people can be so caustic with their criticism that, they forget they lose sight of everything good.

I’m saying this relative to last Thursday’s orientation for Kotoko players at the conference room of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. I had the chance of reading quotes from the various speakers. I was impressed with how proceedings went. Afterwards, as I perused social media commentary on the orientation, I noticed overt attempts by some people to reduce it to nothingness because the players didn’t wear uniformed attire.

To them, it was a notable downside. The team should have worn jerseys or shirts that identify them well as Kotoko players. I agree. I won’t begrudge anyone. But considering the significance of the orientation, I, by my disposition won’t put too much premium on what outfit the players wore to the programme.

Where possible, it’s always necessary to dwell on the positives of an event no matter the negatives. It’s not right to exert our energies – condemning and rubbishing things because one thing didn’t go right particularly when this thing didn’t do any damage to the ultimate goal.

Given that, Kotoko have many uniformed attires, something must have acted against the club at the last minute, thereby causing the players inability to come in uniformed attire. Now, let me focus on what transpired at the event. First, I was glad to read that, the programme was behind closed doors. I commend management for that.

In an institution like Kotoko, it’s imperative to protect, control, if not deliberately tailoring information to suit purposes we desire. This can be done well only when events such as orientation for players are held without the media’s presence. I have often contended that, no club is under any obligation to let the media in on everything it does.  

Certain things must be kept out of media coverage because as an institution, we must at times tell our story the way we want it. For example, I’m imagining how Dr. Boateng’s advice on avoiding multiple sexual partners would have been carried by our typically sensational media.  

In fact, even after copying quotes from Asantekotokosc.com without giving credit, a few online news reports attempted to skew the doctor’s advice to make the players appear as though they are licentious louts parading in Kotoko jerseys. So, it was necessary that, the media was to a large extent, kept out of the orientation where sensitive Kotoko issues were frankly discussed.

Everything said at the orientation was vital. My prayer is that, the players will reflect deeply on the issues presented to them. They should let the advices sink well into their lives. They shouldn’t assume that, they were placed in one room to be lectured for hours simply because we want them to win matches. It goes way beyond that. Some of the issues that came up at the orientation are relevant life issues they ought to know.

For example, Operations Manager, George Kennedy’s take on the players’ choice of a girlfriend or wife was instructive. “When taking a girlfriend or looking for a life-long partner, take the one who will wake you up [for] training on time, not the one who will drain all your funds” he said.

General Manager, Opoku Nti’s word on supporters’ criticism was also instructive. “Let your performance show on the pitch. When fans criticize you, don't respond with your mouth; respond on the pitch for the very fans who sing ‘crucify him’ will later sing "hallelujah" he stated.

If our players will take time off to ponder about all this, they will not only be good footballers; they will also be responsible individuals who will contribute meaningfully to their families and society at large. I frankly wish them the best in their endeavours in the new season and beyond. 

Come again, Ibrahim Sannie Daara!

GFA Spokesman, Ibrahim Sannie Daara. 

In the past few weeks at my temporary home outside our beloved country, I have been listening to my favourite radio (FM) stations via the internet. I mostly like English radio but that’s not to suggest, I don’t listen to FM stations that broadcast in Twi. I do and I enjoy it.

There are now hundreds of FM stations in Ghana and most of them can be listened to on the internet. The language in which these radio stations broadcast is often determined by their geographical location and other essential factors like reasons behind establishing the station, their target audience and many more.

Because Twi is widely spoken in Ghana, many of the FM stations in southern parts of the country broadcast in that language. The fact that they broadcast in Twi doesn’t make their programmes less relevant than the FM stations which broadcast in English.

Many of the FM stations that broadcast in Twi have informative, educative and entertaining programmes just like the English FM stations. They have sports and political programmes that keep their listeners updated on current happenings in and outside the country. They also have health, business and entertainment programmes that are worth listening to.

Having been in media practice for a little over a decade and with the little I know about radio broadcasting, I don’t believe the type of language (for instance English or Twi) a radio station uses for broadcast can be the measuring rod to ascertain if that radio station is professional.

Interestingly in Ghana, there’s the perception that, local language radio stations, Twi-speaking broadcasters in this particular case, are unprofessional. Those with this erroneous opinion contend that, Twi broadcasters are the worst culprits when it comes to media ethical breaches. I have, in fact, met people in our media space who truly look down on Twi-speaking stations.

In short, they don’t respect Twi radio broadcasters or presenters. Now, Twi-speaking FM stations, some of them, are being blamed for the destruction of our Premier League. Last week, the spokesman for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Ibrahim Sannie Daara, speaking on Starr FM accused “some Twi-speaking radio stations for destroying the image of our league.

He was quoted as saying that, “the local league has become unattractive to sponsors because of the incessant criticism of the local FM stations”. He said, “If the Ghana Premier League gets better sponsors on board [it would be] to the benefit of radio stations. But some particular Twi-speaking radio stations tag the league as stupid and nasty.

“Yet when they run commentaries they have numerous spiritualists, Akpeteshie companies all running adverts on the same product which they have condemned. If the league gets better [it’s] for all of us, but when you destroy it then most of you will lose your jobs” he stated.

His remarks predictably incurred the wrath of sections of the media. Sannie’s critics didn’t spare him. They lambasted him for daring to assign the sunken image of our league to actions of some Twi-speaking radio stations. Were Sannie’s views legitimate? I don’t think so. No single entity can entirely be blamed for the unattractiveness of our league.

While it’s irrefutable that, there have been excesses with some of the commentaries on our domestic game, it is not right for the GFA’s spokesman to attribute the lack of appeal our league has to actions of Twi-speaking FM stations. That was below the belt. I haven’t liked some media reports on our league but circumspection in one’s language is necessary here.

Our league, admittedly maybe unappealing in the eyes of the corporate world due to certain actions stakeholders of which the GFA is one but to say a specific group of broadcasters have contributed to its soiled image is to ignore the critical factors that have brought us to this point.

I won’t condone wrongdoing on the part of the media but most of the things the media have said about our league have emanated not from the vacuum. The negative commentary on our game, which Sannie finds problematic, I agree, are at times too vitriolic but they have been triggered by how our competition has recently been ill-planned and badly organized.

I’m not sure Sannie will deny that. Or that he has been happy and comfortable with the state of affairs regarding our league. In any case, was last season's late start and has this season’s delay been caused by the Twi-speaking radio stations? Please, Sannie, come again. 

Otumfuo’s wise counsel on discipline

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

There’s never a dull moment with the Asantehene, the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II regarding his statements on Kotoko – either at the Manhyia Palace or anywhere it becomes necessary for him to speak on the club. He’s the Owner and Life Patron of Asante Kotoko and whenever he speaks on the club, he leaves no one in doubt over the kind of authority vested in him concerning who has power to say what or determine the direction of this great club.

Last Friday was a typical example. Nana paid what was a surprise visit to the team at Adako Jachie. His address to them – players, coaches and management members as usual was filled with wisdom. He touched on practically every subject the ordinary Kotoko supporter would want to hear him speak on. The sheer display of knowledge of his team was mesmerizing.

Nana is current. He knows all that happens in Kotoko. I don’t know how long he spoke but the audio recording I received via WhatsApp from Communications Director, Kwaku Ahenkorah was nine minutes and 53 seconds. It took the editorial team nearly two hours to transcribe. We spent that amount of time writing what the Great King said verbatim.

It was difficult at some point. Strenuous efforts needed to be made to get exactly what Nana said from Twi to English – without misrepresenting him or of course missing any point he made. We loved the transcribing exercise but what was lovelier was his counsel on discipline.

The frank, straightforward way Nana spoke to everyone present vindicates how well he wants to see Kotoko succeeding. His message, in my opinion was characteristic of a good father bent on seeing the success of his children in all spheres of life. He warned the players on their usual impatience to leave the domestic scene after a short time, saying that attitude wasn’t only destroying their career but it was additionally hampering the development of the local game.

When an elder speaks, there is absolutely nothing more to add, so days an Akan adage. This is not just an elder but also a King – the revered Asantehene – so what more is there to be said? I end my commentary on Nana’s all-important address to the team here. I however reproduce portions of his statements on discipline which touches my heart.

“Coach, select your players based on training; don’t favour any player. The kind of training a player does for the week, which makes you think he can play, must determine your selection” Nana said to Coach Duncan on player selection. His take on favouritism (and that isn’t to say Coach David Duncan favours players) was vital.

“You don’t have to favour anyone. Kotoko is more important than any preferences you have. If you aren’t convinced about any player’s training, don’t field him” he stated. Nana’s position on good values and discipline as footballers was most significant. The players and the coach had their share of the admonition. “Punish any player who will be complacent” he advised.

“Discipline must be the first thing” he warned. “This is my policy. If anyone feels indispensable and feels that, without him Kotoko won’t survive, leave him out! Field those who are disciplined. It’s as simple as that. So that they will know it is a contractual obligation between them and Kotoko” he added.

“Your obligation is also to ensure that Kotoko is lifted. The coach will train you; if there’s anything, coach, give them the chance to share with you… You should also give respect to the coach because he’s your head. If you don’t accord respect, he has the right to discipline you”.

The club owner also had a word on management interference regarding the technical team’s discipline of players and it was succinct. “Coach, even if management intervenes to leave a player who becomes difficult to handle; don’t leave him. Discipline him” he added.

“If you know you can’t play; if you know you’re serving someone’s loyalty more than that of Kotoko, don’t come here; leave! Players who won’t be discipline, leave them out” he pointed out. This certainly is a powerful, wise admonition to every member of the team.

Musicians, nice ladies not the answer

Dancehall artist, Shatta Wale

They can only be additives. Something to complement or in fact garnish the main thing when we have eventually managed to significantly fill the stadium. That’s basically my take because it will be nothing but self-delusion to assume that, merely encouraging nice-looking, gorgeous ladies or paying popular musicians to perform at the stadiums will increase attendance.

When I heard repeated playbacks of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi’s remarks to that effect, I shook my head in disbelief. Not that the FA President couldn’t say that; he could since he’s human and therefore susceptible to mistakes.

But seriously speaking, the honourable Nyantakyi hit quite below expectation. I wouldn’t stretch the argument to the point that he virtually endorsed fornication with that remark.

He didn’t. Attempts to make it look like Nyantakyi did that are disrespectful to say the least.

Indeed, the domestic league is faced with a myriad of problems – one of which undeniably relates to spectating. People don’t watch domestic league matches. In my view, this is attributable to a number of factors and these factors will not be eliminated or erased by musicians and the presence of sultry ladies.

The Answer

First, let’s tackle the weak structures with which clubs in Ghana operate. It’s a fact that, majority of our clubs are not administratively organised. Most of them lack the financial wherewithal to do things. They as well don’t have qualified personnel to execute the basic development tasks at the bases.

The GFA’s Technical Director, Oti Akenteng recently in an interview with Asempa Sports stressed the essence of the club licensing and how it would help give our domestic football positive outlook. The crux of Coach Oti Akenteng’s argument was that, until our clubs were properly administered on all levels, the public’s confidence in them will still be low.

The world is changing so fast. Many enchanting things are vigorously competing and seeking the attention of people including football fans. Emotional love or affinity to clubs isn’t enough to establish whether or not people will joyfully run to league venues to watch their teams.

Today, it takes more than radio appeals to fill the stadium. People want to see if their clubs have policies that guide them. They want to know if their clubs have short, medium or long plans that can ensure success on and off the field while bringing them direct or indirect gains.

For instance, how clubs in Ghana have defined policy direction or development plans well-explained to their supporters? How many adhere to that policy direction? Make no mistake, people want to see more than what they have been used to before they commit themselves to properly supporting clubs or going to the stadium. 

Thus where people aren’t sure of what the true state of affairs at their clubs and what lies ahead, no group of lovely ladies or popular musicians can lure them to the stadium. Let’s just get the management of our clubs right by trying to do basic things like setting up identifiable secretariats; employing qualified personnel to man these secretariats, coming out with development plans, building standard training pitches, gymnasium, etc.

Let’s simply give our clubs professional outlook in all our dealings and see if the spectators’ apathy won’t change. That aside, the FA and its affiliate bodies that manage the league ought to get things straightened. In the absence of a reliable league calendar – where fans have no set definitive idea when the league is to start and end for example, won’t that affect enthusiasm in the league?  

I concede that, negative media commentary on our league has contributed to the public’s declining confidence in the league. People have wrong notions; forceful misconceptions and preconceived thoughts that, everything in the domestic league is substandard and this, often fueled by misguided reports makes things worse.

My conclusion is that, there are crucial roles to be played by clubs to get fans to follow them from their training grounds to the stadium, the same way as the GFA and the media have got their duties, which they must not renege on. On the part of GFA, Mr. President, it doesn’t include inviting musicians or sweet ladies to lure men. It’s about packaging the league well. Let’s get to that and the waning interest will rise again. 

Pre-season and our league calendar

You are likely to wonder if we have a league calendar. We have one, except that, it isn’t as we want it. At best, our calendar is often a disorganized if not an ill-planned one. And it isn’t too difficult to explain why. Overtime, there has been talk about a synchronization of our calendar with that of Europe. I recall we tried it a few seasons back. It worked only to be disrupted later on and since then, we’ve either deliberately or through some innocent actions abandoned it.

There was unanimity about the benefits of the synchronization. How it was going to help us deal with transfers abroad because until the synchronization, our local players, those fortunate enough to land so-called lucrative contracts in Europe, always left at the time our domestic league was in session and this was the same time the European transfer window was opened.

Football is a global sport. As we frequently tinkered with our calendar, we were usually left behind – making it difficult, if not impossible for us to plan appropriately with the Europeans and even other African leagues, who moved flawlessly with the European calendar.

Given that, most football leagues across the globe starts and ends almost at the same period, we were and are still hurting ourselves with the synchronization failure. I can’t exactly remember when we attempted the synchronization but I know that, we were somewhat successful with it until we stumbled again.

We’ve since found it difficult to come back on track. As I write, most of the major European leagues are getting close to drawing the curtains on the first half of their 2015/16 season. We are yet to officially end the 2014/15 season. Inconsequence, if the 2014/15 season hasn’t been closed, how do you open the 2015/16 season?

What has stopped the Ghana Football Association (GFA) from officially closing the 2014/15 season isn’t too different from what caused last season’s delay. So there are cases; cases bordering on the promotion or otherwise of certain clubs. The GFA’s inability to amicably resolve these cases has stalled the start of the 2015/16 season.

Elsewhere, this doesn’t happen. Laws are applied strictly and whoever the long arm of the law catches isn’t spared. That isn’t always the case in our situation and that partly explains the avoidable delays which in the long term hamper the growth of the domestic league.

Pre-season

Most of our Premier League clubs, although they haven’t announced it, have started their pre-season work. They have started their preparation for the 2015/16 season without knowing exactly when the league competition starts. The question to ask then, is, how effective will their pre-season work be when in the first place, they are not sure of the league’s start date?

It’s good to note that, registration of players for the season commenced last Friday. The exercise will be on till January 20, 2016. That’s refreshing news for the simple reason that, administratively, the GFA, just like last season, aided the clubs to understand the new registration procedure. 

But aren’t the same GFA hampering the club’s pre-season programme with the delay in announcing the league’s start date? Pre-season, just like the registration of players must be within a certain time frame premised on the knowledge of when the league starts and ends.

Around the world, league calendars determine the amount of preparatory work teams do. Unfortunately, here, it seems there’s no such thing. It’s therefore no surprise that, our league isn’t growing as we want to see it even though virtually everyone in our domestic league’s decision-making body knows the right thing.

We don’t have a serious football calendar. We pay no real attention to timelines and what it adds to planning. It may be innocuous but starting and playing the league anytime has its associated problems. I hate to say this; I think the GFA of which the clubs are the major stakeholders is progressively failing in the efficient planning of the domestic league.

In this day and age, we shouldn’t be that poor in planning and its execution. It’s pathetic to observe that, we so much love European leagues but we aren’t learning anything from it.

Government, GFA must show leadership

Dede Ayew - Black Stars player  

The view that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into events which characterized Ghana’s presence at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil would amount to nothing was prejudicial before the committee started its work. Many welcomed the idea of establishing the Commission but not everybody believed that the Commission’s report would give birth to significant if not dramatic changes to the problem they were supposed to solve.

The unbelief, which could have seen commentators being slapped with contempt charges depending on how they expressed their lack of confidence in the Commission, stemmed from the fact that, reports of such Commissions of Inquiry in the past, didn’t lead to any departure from the wrong attitudes; mishandling of affairs which called for those investigative bodies.

I don’t know if those who said the Commission’s work wouldn’t cause any real positive change have been vindicated. What I do know is that, nearly a year after the Commission ended its sittings, there is still so much talk about the Black Stars and their money matters. What does that tell us?

Just after the Black Stars returned from Brazil, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, in a Daily Graphic report admitted that, money ruined the team. Nyantakyi’s assertion wasn’t far from the truth but the simple question to ask then was: How and who allowed money to ruin the team? I was convinced beyond all doubts that, the handling of the Black Stars’ appearance fee saga for example was extremely poor.

It seems to me that, the same poor handling of affairs has again reared its ugly face over the Black Stars’ bonus issue. It’s unfortunate that, resources would be spent on investigating a highly disgraceful occurrence at an international competition and months on, we still don’t seem to have found better means of handling Black Stars’ money issues. Has the team’s bonuses been slashed to US$5,000?

Where from the talk of rejection by the players and the nauseating presentations made by captain Asamoah Gyan? I will support a slash of the team’s winning bonuses on any day. However, as I argued in a previous article, any decision to that effect can’t and must not be taken arbitrarily since that would invariably lead to needless, distressing quarrels.

The national team belongs to Ghana – that is why many Ghanaians for instance, feel obligated to wear national team colours to support them anytime they are playing. When and wherever decisions are taken on the Black Stars’ financial incentives, the Ministry of Youth and Sports must thoroughly do so in consultation with the Black Stars management committee, if not the players, and what we pay must always be what the country can afford.

That way, some of the hard talk on the team’s money matters will be curtailed. For me, we continue to talk about the Black Stars and their money issues because of there has been absence of decisive leadership. I fail to understand why as a country we still can’t determine how much to give to our national team footballers – such that in the past one year or so we have been haranguing over a straightforward issue.

If the government, the GFA and the players themselves aren’t aware, they should be told unequivocally that, the image of the Black Stars has been battered too much over money. I don’t believe the Black Stars are that money-conscious; it’s those tasked with their handling or management, either at the FA or government level whose inexplicably poor handing of affairs has created the continuous negative media for our once honourable team.

A few years back, that wasn’t the case. Most Ghanaians didn’t disrespect the Black Stars like some do now – seeing the team and its management officials for example, as a bunch of insensitive, unpatriotic money-loving people whose prime occupation is to milk the Ghana through football. That image, even if erroneous is neither good for the players nor the officials.

It’s time the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports showed leadership in the management of Black Stars’ money issues. Most Ghanaian are getting weary over the everyday Black Stars money debate. 

Training and playing on bad pitches

Hearts of Oak player training on a grassless pitch. 

Back in the days at Koforidua-Nsukwao when I was an excellent, young goalie named after the Cameroonian legend, Thomas Nkono, I trained and played at street corners and open spaces. The surfaces on which I played were dreadfully bad.

I didn’t care. I invariably disregarded the state of those playing surfaces to passionately pursue my interest, which was to play football – with my mother always on my neck and sadly having the trouble to treat the injuries I returned home with.

If I sustain bruises while playing on such surfaces, I could be described as lucky. If my injury however turns out to be knee or shoulder dislocation, I could correctly predict that, either insults or severe beatings would accompany any sort of attention I would be given at home before being sent to hospital for proper medical care.

Anytime I got the chance to train or play on pitches at Senior Secondary (now Senior High) Schools; I considered those pitches much better and safer to use because they usually had green grass that provide some cushion. And I was picked by my school team for inter-schools’ competition, playing on the turf at the Koforidua Stadium was like playing in heaven because the pitch was good. It had lush green grass compared with the pitches at our backyards.

I saw the pitch at the Koforidua Stadium as the best. Nearly 20 years on, it’s sad to note that, the pitch at the Koforidua Stadium and many others across Ghana I have seen, are indeed no better pitches. Certainly, because I hadn’t seen good football pitches elsewhere and I also had no choice except to compare the one at the stadium to the ones at my backyard, I assumed that, the stadium pitch was excellent.

Today, it’s pathetic to note that, not only was the pitch at the Koforidua Stadium awful but it has really seen no upgrade for years now and this pitch at the Koforidua Stadium isn’t alone. Having followed domestic football closely and travelled to practically every popular football venue in Ghana in the last decade, it’s no exaggeration to conclude that, most competitive, domestic league matches are played on bad pitches.

That’s a worry. Something must be done about it. Recently, I saw pictures of Hearts of Oak players training on red, dusty, hard surfaces in modern day Accra. Hearts aren’t alone.

It’s a national canker as observed by Kotoko Operations Manager, George Kennedy who in an interview published last week, couldn’t fathom why the Premier League Board (PLB) would travel to inspect pitches at all league centres and approve them but the FA Cup Committee conversely sanctions any pitch at all for use in their competition.

The FA Cup committee goes by no standards. For them anything goes. Ghana football deserves better. If kids play on improvised pitches and their parents go after them disapprovingly due to the associated risks of playing on such poor parks, why should professional footballers be allowed to play on such parks? A close examination of injuries at Kotoko in more than three seasons indicates that nearly 60 per cent are because of the poor pitches the team uses nationwide. 

I wouldn’t veer into the debate of whose duty it’s to construct good pitches for our game.

I have however said elsewhere, that, it’s a shared responsibility between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the government. Of course, clubs have a duty to provide quality pitches for use by their players. The private sector can only come in when the government, the GFA and the clubs make the initiative.

The private sector will often be supportive of such good courses when they find reasons to do so – not when they hear that thousands of dollars have been shared in the name of ex-gratia to GFA Executive Committee members, and certainly, not when most club administrators appear clueless concerning what to do to ensure the growth of the entities they own or administer.

Whether as a government; a football association or a club administrator; you can provide a good pitch when you set your priorities right with the scarce resources available. With right priorities, they can only come about when as a government; GFA or clubs; identifiable development plans are drawn for the construction of such facilities.

A verdict to keep...

The Appeals Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) opened the eyes of the football populace when they delivered what has been variously described as a very erudite verdict in the Hearts-Kotoko tussle over the eligibility of striker, Obed Owusu in the August 2, First Capital Plus Premier League match at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Kotoko won the game 2-1. Hearts subsequently protested claiming that, the Kotoko striker was unqualified for the match, having received a yellow card suspension. Kotoko challenged Hearts’ stance, insisting that, Obed Owusu was fielded in an Elite Cup match prior to their encounter for which reason his ineligibility had long been annulled.

The Disciplinary Committee of the GFA saw little or no wisdom in the argument advanced by Kotoko. They ruled on September 1 that, matches in the Elite Cup competition were not official. As a result, Kotoko was wrong in using an Elite Cup match, to as it were, cancel Obed Owusu’s yellow card suspension. Kotoko were declared losers against Hearts and also docked three more points to serve as punishment besides a GHȼ5,000 fine.

The case didn’t end there. Kotoko headed straight to the Appeals Committee, who after weeks of hard work, upheld Kotoko’s case, maintaining that matches in the Elite Cup are official. They argued that the Disciplinary Committee was wrong in declaring Hearts winners of the August 2 game. The other three-point’s deduction and the GHȼ5,000 fine was also reversed.

“Having considered the various definitions ascribed to official matches we cannot but to conclude that the Elite Clubs Cup Competition matches are for all intents and purposes official matches of the FA. In the circumstances, the Elite Clubs Cup match played between Kotoko and Dunkwa United was an official match. Obed Owusu having sat out in that particular match has therefore satisfied article 39(5) (a) (v) of the General Regulations of the FA.  

“We therefore hereby uphold the appeal filed by Kotoko and overturn the decision of the Disciplinary Committee dated 1st September, 2015. The results of the match in question stand undisturbed. The six points deducted from the accumulated points of Kotoko is hereby restored and Hearts remains the loser of the said match. The GH¢5,000.00 fine awarded against Kotoko is also vacated”.

The ruling by the Appeals Committee has since been hailed in different quarters. I know why. If the committee’s job was simply to hand Kotoko back their hard earned points to bring them to their meritorious second position on the 2014/15 First Capital Premier League table and send Hearts back to their unenviable 13th position, I think, the GFA’s appellate body would have  attracted so much scorn.

But wait, the Appeals Committee are being praised for upholding the truth and justice and the manner in which they did it shows their level of maturity and deep-seated appreciation of law. Only simple minds and fanatics interested in ranting and raving on radio without giving themselves to the impeccable legal wisdom will find fault with the Appeals Committee verdict.

A careful reading of the ruling by the Appeals Committee shows that, they weren’t only determined to cure the illogicality created by the Disciplinary Committee’s definition of what an official match is. I believe the Appeals Committee were also concerned with the potential chaos the Disciplinary Committee ruling could leave our football in future.

The hypothetical situation they cited and the accompanying cogent analysis they made in the ruling brings me to the firm conclusion that, the Appeals Committee did diligent work. Matches in the Elite Cup couldn’t have been unofficial in the situation where Special Rules had been created for it by the FA in acknowledgement of its complexity and novelty.

I made this point in practically every media commentary with the full conviction that, it was completely absurd for the Disciplinary Committee to assume that matches in a competition of the nature of the Elite Cup could be derogatorily termed friendly.

The Appeals Committee hasn’t only educated football fans with facts. They have also shared the sort of legal sense that must permeate our game to save it from illogicalities capable of killing interest in domestic football. The Appeals Committee’s verdict is one that must be kept. The verdict must be kept to guide us all that nothing should be made to stand in our game if it has no reasonable basis. I doff my hat for the Appeals Committee. 

Reflective yet undaunted...

The past week has been a difficult period. It has seen my write-ups and even my personality come under verbal attacks and critical scrutiny on FM stations especially in Kumasi. It’s just natural to hear the vibrant Kumasi FM stations paying such attention to what I write on Kotoko because Kumasi is Kotoko’s home.  

This period has been difficult not only for me but also for Kotoko Express and the entire editorial team. A highlight has been thrown on us and we risk being blinded if care isn’t taken. God lives! It’s all good. We won’t lose focus though I will be a little more careful with what I write, the criticism – some very fair and others misplaced – won’t however derail my focus.

The criticism will neither discourage nor dampen my spirit. Criticisms, when they are constructive, ought to be appreciated but those borne out of ignorance and malice should be ignored. Some of the criticisms that have come, I must admit, are legitimate. For example, it doesn’t sound logical as to why a newspaper set up by Kotoko will lambast Kotoko.

The logic in that criticism that is if we are to accept is weak, is almost akin to the logic behind the purported ban of Kotoko Express from covering Kotoko programmes. I will ignore the ban issue since it’s irrelevant to my objective today. Let it be noted that, Kotoko Express has not and I don’t think it will ever be the aim of Kotoko Express to run down the very establishment that set it up.

Throughout the 13 years of Kotoko Express’ existence, it has taken the selfless service and professionalism of individuals to get the newspaper running. Given the amount of resources that go into a single publication for instance, it will just be unwise for the people on the paper to embark on a campaign to oust a Kotoko administration. We can’t and won’t do that.

Kotoko Express is so decent to be reduced to a vile and vindictive newspaper. Throughout the period I have been around, nobody has thought of such things because true professionals administer the newspaper. These professionals will not allow petty, sentimental reasoning to dictate the pace. 

Kotoko Express will not stoop low to maliciously take on managers, coaches, players and supporters of Kotoko. Of what good lies in the running down of other human beings and institutions?

It’s unfortunate that, the genuine intentions of some of us about shining the light on issues bedeviling the club created the wrong impression or has been fatally misunderstood. 

It’s said that, “Apology if rendered in the most sincere manner has the power to melt the hardest of heart particularly when those to whom it’s being rendered also make room for it”. That’s why I offer an unqualified apology to anybody I might have offended in any way with my write-ups or thoughts on Kotoko. My heart is too precious to me to allow negative emotion to have a place in there. Therefore, I’m profusely sorry for any wrongdoing.  

The New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Presidential candidate, Nana Akufo Addo in a recent radio interview alluded to something I liked so much. He said: “Bitterness is a negative emotion” and it has the capacity to derail one’s focus. I’m not bitter as a result. It’s on this note that, I urge all who are or were hurt by my write-ups to let go any bitter feeling and look ahead with hope and the conviction that, when the right things are done, Kotoko will achieve the best.  

Kotoko may not be in best of shape at the moment but nothing is lost. It’s not too late for the team to bounce back. I close this article with an advice. Journalists at Kotoko Express have an extremely delicate task. This is the task of promoting the interest of the club at all times while simultaneously ensuring that, the hands in which Kotoko have been entrusted work well.

Thus ours isn’t a simple task. If we get things wrong as a people, it can only be a natural consequence and not something deliberate particularly when we are so careful not to even hurt a fly. Let’s eschew needless suspicion, mistrust; be patient and open-minded and carry out our mandate to make fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko one of the greatest football clubs in the world.

Going into the 2015/16 season

News of a change in management continues to fill the airwaves as I write. There are widespread reports of former Bayern Munich and Black Stars defender, Samuel Osei Kuffour being given the nod to lead Kotoko.

These reports, as I write are yet to be confirmed officially. Knowing how Kotoko Express and Asantekotokosc.com operate, the two Kotoko media outfits will come out on these reports only when there is formal communication from management, the Board and most importantly, the Manhyia Palace, which is the appointing authority when it comes to deciding who leads our great club.

Until that is done, I admonish Kotoko supporters to be patient and wait for proper confirmation. Having said that, it is fair to admit that, given the extensive reports about the imminent change of leadership at the club, it is safe to argue that, unless there are dramatic turn of events, Kotoko will go into the 2015/16 season with a new administration in office.

How we got here, I mean how the imminent leadership changes came about isn’t something I can explain easily except to say that, not many of us have been happy about the way the club has been administered in recent years. It is important to point out that, on the domestic scene, Kotoko have been impressive in recent years but not on the African stage which matters most.

That hasn’t come as a surprise. It hasn’t come as a surprise to me not because I have expected it but because, looking at things from a realistic viewpoint, it would always be easy to perform well on the local front but fail big time on the international stage simply because as a club we have not been adequately prepared for what happens on the continental stage.

The problem hasn’t exactly been with the players or coaches but with the kind of structures put in place to perform well on the big stage. That is why change has become necessary at this time. Change not necessarily in the personalities running the club but precisely with our approach and methods used in administering the club we so much love.

I will neither use this chance to slam anybody nor will I point accusing fingers at anyone. However, the fact remains that, Kotoko deserve far more than it has been given in terms of managerial structures; plans or policy direction. This a club with huge potential. This is the club that has the most loyal and biggest group of supporters in the country.

Sadly, the aspirations of these supporters have not been realized simply because, despite Kotoko’s huge potential, the club has lacked the administrative impetus to initiate a constructive, achievable development plan, which is what a club of this stature requires to be both on the domestic and international fronts.

Going into the 2015/16 season, the much talked about change may well be first, in the area of the personalities in leadership but I dare add that, regardless of the advantages the change of personalities may come with, that in itself will not necessarily guarantee Kotoko’s success. 

The change in leadership must come with a proper definition of what we want Kotoko to achieve within a certain timeframe. I call that vision or a development agenda. Thus the new managers of Kotoko must have a well-spelt out vision or an explicit agenda, which must inform the kind of administrative structure they put in place or work with.

I would want to see Kotoko setup its secretariat well with vital offices such as that of Chief Executive Officer (CEO); Administrative, Marketing, Media, Finance, Youth Development, Projects, etc. with the core objective of developing the club along a recognizable path. A path which is similar to what we see elsewhere and that which is easy to point people to.

Therefore, going into the 2015/16 season, the administration or indeed the running of Kotoko shouldn’t be narrowed down to what pertains at the club’s base and Ghana for that reason. We must think globally. We must think big and plan effectively and execute our plans with precision; believing that, no matter any obstacles, Kotoko will bounce back in bright colours. 

Just pay the Black Queens!

We don’t seem to learn and a country that doesn’t learn is headed straight to failure. That’s painful and a pity especially considering the fact that, Ghana is blessed with enormous talents yet she faces serious management and leadership setbacks on virtually every facet of her life.

I am into sports and in this write-up my focus is on the continuing row over financial incentives for our national team players, in this case, the Black Queens. When millions of dollars were airlifted to Brazil to be shared among Black Stars players and their officials at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Ghana was mocked by Ghanaians and indeed the international community.

How the government could fly money over thousands of miles for distribution among a “rebelling national team players” at an international competition left many of us shocked. We questioned whether that was the best way to handle the Black Stars’ appearance fee row.  

Many of us remained unconvinced and not even the government under whose watch and authority the money was flown to the South American country was happy with the situation. Thus, a Presidential Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate the disgraceful events in Brazil. The commission was to recommend lasting solutions to avert a recurrence.

The live telecast of the commission’s proceedings got the public well-informed of the messy handling of the Black Stars’ money issues in Brazil even before the commission’s report was out. The commission’s report ignited a lot of controversies as people felt that, it didn’t really establish the cause of the problem in Brazil and how to deal with it next time or avoid a repetition.

I’m in no position to comment further on the findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Black Stars’ participation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup but coming from how money was recently flown to the Black Stars in Rwanda, and now the raging commotion over the Black Queens’ bonuses, there are reasonable grounds to believe that, lessons haven’t been learnt relative to the management of our national team players and their bonus issues.

A report by myjoyonline.com, which quoted the Black Queens Management Committee Chairperson, Lenier Addy said the players and officials are each owed of $23,000 – not $2,000. The breakdown is as follows: “In May, long before the All Africa Games football tournament, the Queens had beaten Egypt home (3-0) and drew away (1-1) in a Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier.

Their $6,000 qualification reward has not been paid. Then there were a home-and-away victory over Zimbabwe in an All Africa Games qualifier. That $6,000 qualification reward has also not been paid. During the All Africa Games, the bonuses owed them from the group stage to the final, added up to $11,000. All this is known by the Ministry of Youth and Sports who had approved this arrangement months” the report stated.

It continued as thus: The team met the Sports Minister, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed. However, they couldn’t reach an agreement as the Black Queens for a second time running rejected the $2000. Their coach Yusif Basigi and his charges, since returning from Congo have been at the M-Plaza Hotel, Accra. Their resolve is to stay there until their monies are paid.

The Queens have threatened to go on demonstration to demand their money. Beyond that, Lenier Addy doesn’t see the future of women’s football well as a result of this bonus row. “The Queens don’t earn salaries at their clubs because we don’t have sponsors for our league. They play with the motivation of making it to the senior national team where they can get something to better their lives. What happens after football if they are treated like this? If this problem isn’t solved it is going to kill women’s football in our country” she said.

My take: Already, women’s football is in bad shape. If it risks having more difficulties, all I can say is that, women’s football surely has no good future. For me, the issue, as it was in the case of the Black Stars in Brazil, isn’t about money. It’s basically about the management of affairs which has been poor. Those tasked with properly ensuring that, our national team players earn what they are due without acrimony have failed Ghana. That is a big shame.

Whither Kumasi Asante Kotoko?

The Paul Adu-Gyamfi-led Board has come under critical scrutiny this week with many Kotoko supporters questioning which direction they are taking the club after media reports that, three Kotoko benefactors have brought in a coach from Europe to handle the Porcupines without the approval of management.

Later on, General Manager, Opoku Nti was reported to have been sacked but that story was untrue. Opoku Nti is still at post. While there is no ambiguity concerning Opoku Nti’s status as General Manager, numerous Kotoko supporters do not seem satisfied with the way things turned out for the this season. They are wondering exactly what the future holds for their club under the current administration.

Some have criticized the leadership of Kotoko for what they see as the lack of a proper development plan which they contend, made things difficult for the team this season. Not only were Kotoko unable to defend the Premier League title, the team also lost the FA Cup trophy they won last season besides dropping to the lower ranks of the league after a six-point deduction in a protest lodged by Hearts over the eligibility of Obed Owusu in a league match.

That case is before the Appeals Committee of Ghana Football Association (GFA). Management is hopeful that, the points that were docked would be restored but the concern of most Kotoko supporters now is well beyond the deducted points. Many of them have not been enthused with current trends in the club and there are fears that, not much could be achieved next season if something urgent is not done about the state of affairs of the club.  

While some of the supporters look up to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to dissolve the Board, others want the Board to provide clarity on the state of affairs at the moment. Some of the supporters cite the absence of a well-defined vision for the club, administrative structures and competent personnel to man other offices apart from the General Manager, Operations Manager and Communications Manager’s office.

Two of the other most important offices majority of the supporters want to see being created and filled with people with the wherewithal to deliver are that of the Administrative Manager and Marketing Manager. There are also those who have not been happy with the state of the club’s youth team. They would therefore want to see a purposeful restructuring of the youth team in line with modern trends in youth football programmes. For the long term, many are of the view that, Kotoko must take a closer look at its infrastructural development.

The talk about infrastructural development could be an issue for discussion some other time but there are really pressing if not immediate issues supporters of the club want to know. What plans does the Board and management have to raise the funds for player recruitment for the 2015/16 season?

Already, seven players have been transfer-listed with two others loaned to clubs in the Lebanon. 

What will be the club’s objectives for the new season? How will supporters’ expectations be managed going into the new season? These and many more have rightly so engaged the minds of Kotoko supporters and the leadership has a duty to respond appropriately. 

Match-fixing: Allegation vs Evidence

Journalists on roof top doing their work at the Kpando Park. 

Questions of whether or not there are compromised matches in our Premier League never come up until the competition is about to end. For example, in the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League, I didn't hear allegations of match fixing until after match day 23. This was the week where the then struggling Accra Hearts of Oak thumped Heart of Lions 4-0 at the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium in Cape Coast.

Heart of Lions – now relegated were in much better shape going into that match with Hearts but they surprisingly tumbled against the rather poor Hearts team. The public’s suspicion was that, because Hearts were dangerously caught in the relegation web then, they badly needed a lifeline. It didn’t matter how they would win; the win was all that mattered.

So Hearts won massively amidst allegations of Heart of Lions playing it soft. Subsequent matches by Hearts and other clubs were also smeared with similar allegations. The Liberty-Hearts; Liberty-Hasaacas at Dansoman; Kotoko-Aduana Stars in Kumasi and the Olympics-Ashgold matches all had their outcomes allegedly pre-determined, according to sections of the media.

An Executive Committee member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Fred Pappoe, who doubles as a Board member of Great Olympics subsequently in a radio interview alleged that, some of the last round matches in the league were prearranged. Fred Pappoe, a football personality I admire so much, was emphatic but unfortunately he didn’t provide any proof.

GFA spokesman, Ibrahim Sannie Daara not surprisingly disagreed with Fred Pappoe.

Most local football enthusiasts including media commentators however sided with Fred Pappoe. They cited varying stories from the past to support their suspicion that, match-fixing in our league was not only a perception but a reality.

Though the position of the GFA’s Ethics Committee is being contested, the news of Techiman City FC and Wa African United being found guilty of bribery and match fixing by the FA’s Ethics Committee doesn’t do any good to the image of our domestic football.

We live in a perverse, corrupt society – where there is no truth or honesty in our dealings as a people. The key elements of being honourable – which are truth and honesty can hardly be found in today’s life so how much more football? That should make us sad but I also think we don’t have to be throwing match-fixing allegations around anyhow because, no matter how convinced we are about the pervasiveness of the menace, we do ourselves no good if we publicly make those allegations but are unable substantiate them.

Evidence matters so much in eliminating malpractices of any kind. With evidence, the prosecution of corrupt practices in any legal setting is made easier. It is important therefore, that, those who publicly make allegations of corruption in our football are encouraged to come forward with evidence to back their allegations otherwise we will not make any progress with fighting the scourge.

If we are so desirous of ridding our football league of corruption, we should be courageous to come to the table with incontrovertible evidence all the time. I’m not naïve to know that, proving corrupt practices committed in the dark is difficult but we also cannot continue making allegations as if that’s all there is to the issue.

Naturally, law breakers don't easily admit their wrongdoing. There those who are courageous enough to deny wrongdoing even when they are caught in the act. With such human predicament on our hands, only hardcore evidence and the right activation of the justice delivery system will ensure the establishment of the guilt or innocence of those we accuse of match-fixing.

Let me stress that, it is not enough to publicly make allegations and decline to substantiate them. We should be bold to defend our claims with the media demanding the right answers. Otherwise, we will continue to have the case where people will hurriedly come public with allegations of match-fixing only to chicken out when demands for evidence are made. 

Tumultuous season for Kotoko...

A dejected Kotoko bench after defeat 

The sight of Accra Hearts of Oak at 4th place on the just ended 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League is irksome. It is irritating not because I am a Kotoko sympathizer but more because I believe it was sheer injustice that sent them there.

Although the league has effectively ended Kotoko must do everything within the remit of the law to reclaim the six points that were unjustifiably deducted by the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as a result of the so-called ineligibility of Obed Owusu in the super clash.

So much has been said about that case lodged by Hearts and the points that were awarded them to the extent that, most Kotoko supporters now get irritable when the issue is raised without any firm assurance that the illogical ruling given by the Disciplinary Committee will likely be reversed. The assurance I can give is that, neither the Board of Directors nor the management of the club will go to sleep on the matter until Kotoko have justice.

As of the time of going to press, Kotoko’s case at the Appeals Committee was yet to be determined. I believe it would be necessary therefore to end the commentary on the case.

I will however return to it when the decision of Appeals Committee comes out. Whether the committee’s decision goes Kotoko’s way or not, I will, by God’s grace, be back in this column or in subsequent write-ups to share my thoughts on the judgement of the Appeals Committee.

Even though Kotoko had quite a tumultuous season, the Porcupines’ rightful position on the league table should be 2nd and not 7th. Hopefully, when the six points are restored, the present ranking will change. The Board of Directors in a statement released over the weekend served notice that, the Obed Owusu case would be pursued to its logical conclusion. They in fact, explained why they didn’t proceed to court, saying that after thoughtful considerations of the ramifications for Ghana football, they rescinded their decision on the court action.

Looking at all that Kotoko went through in the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League, there’s no denial the team struggled. There were difficulties on the pitch – failing to win both at home and away. Home defeats were more painful to take. I can’t forget the defeat inflicted on us by Hearts, Edubiase and especially the 3-0 Berekum Chelsea humiliation.

Although the 3-1 loss to relegated Heart of Lions was also humbling my consolation was in the fact that, Kotoko thumped them 4-0 in the Kumasi game before they exacted their pound of flesh at Kpando. That Coach David Duncan came in to stabilize the team towards the end of the league’s first round is a point that cannot be contested but it is also true that, the coach almost lost grip of affairs when the second round commenced.

I wouldn’t want to blame David Duncan too much since he came in quite late. He also didn’t have any time with the team whatsoever during the pre-season. It’s only fair that he is given perhaps a second chance – a complete new season – where he would have the opportunity to recruit players of his choice; start on a fresh note and working alongside management and other Kotoko stakeholders, set objectives or specific targets for the 2015/16 season. 

This definitely must be done after comprehensively reviewing the 2014/15 season with full recognition given to the team’s failures and successes on and off the pitch. I will in my next article take a close look at the off the pitch developments which for me have direct impact on what happens on the pitch. You cannot delink the two.

I dare add that, if the 2015/16 season will be any different from the 2014/15 season, it will be heavily dependent on exactly what the Board of Directors and management of the club do outside the field. We shouldn’t underestimate the role a formidable administrative setup can play to turn the fortunes of the club positively. It is imperative that Kotoko get the off the pitch issues right to dream of achieving something better in the new season.

Bring back our points

Kotoko strongly believe the Ghana Football Association (GFA)’s Disciplinary Committee got it wrong. They got their ruling on the Hearts of Oak-Obed Owusu eligibility case terribly wrong and until the points are restored, managers of Kotoko will neither sleep nor rest, because the millions of fans that follow the club will not forgive them whether or not they are responsible for what is happening.

What the fans know (and management agrees with them) is that, the decision by the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee to dock the club six points was completely flawed regardless of how Hearst of Oak and their sympathizers in the media push the argument over what the definition of the GFA’s official matches are and what they are not.  

Kotoko have not contested that operational definition clearly stated in Article 5(5). Kotoko’s contention has to do with the apparent illogicality of the argument that, matches played in a competition sanctioned and approved by the GFA cannot be termed as official matches solely because, certain articles in the GFA’s law books say so.

What about the special rules set by the GFA for the Elite Clubs Cup competition? While I wouldn’t blame Hearts of Oak for taking advantage of a flaw in the GFA’s law books, it is absolutely ridiculous thinking and wondering about how the GFA could organize the Elite Clubs Cup competition, take fines from participating clubs whose players were shown red cards only for the Disciplinary Committee to rule that, matches in the suspended competition were not official.

If matches in the Elite Clubs Cup were not official matches, what were they? Were they trial matches? Wasn’t the same GFA that said the Elite Cup would be a major feature on the local calendar? Why were fines taken by the GFA for red card offences for example? 

Unless I’m so ignorant of football rules world-wide, I don’t know of any friendly competition in which clubs whose players are shown red cards pay fines for the punishment slapped on their players

Certainly, the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee ought to come again on this case. That’s why Kotoko’s decision to appeal the ruling is the right direction. At the Appeals Committee, Kotoko have the chance of having the initial ruling reversed. As I noted in media interviews throughout last week, Kotoko ought not to be punished if it was the GFA that created the “illegal” Elite Clubs Cup competition.

Since the Disciplinary Committee ruling came out, Kotoko have been misrepresented by a number of media commentators and I believe it is essential that, records are set straight. Nowhere has Kotoko said that, Obed Owusu didn’t receive the said yellow cards or that, Kotoko managers didn’t know that the player accumulated a certain number of cards that barred him from playing. Those using that weak premise to slam Kotoko must stop.

There is no doubt that, Kotoko just like most clubs in Ghana have leadership issues to solve but then, this case has nothing to do with any supposed leadership incompetence. The case however has everything to do with the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee misfiring or misruling.

As Kotoko people, let’s rally behind management to fight the GFA’s legal body in pursuit of the unjustly deducted points. This is not the time to burn our management for a wrongdoing not committed by them. It is necessary that, the Board of Directors of Kotoko have made their position known on the case.

What I like most about the Board of Directors’ position is their stance that, “Kotoko reserves the right in the supreme interest of Ghana football to take all necessary action to protect the sanctity of the league and the interest of all clubs”. That’s a strong position no one should take for granted. If that would mean going to every reasonable and acceptable length to have the Disciplinary Committee’s ruling overturned, we should support it.

Nobody on the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee can take Kotoko cheap. That message should be sent clearly and boldly to them. Kotoko isn’t so docile to accept anything forcibly pushed down its throat. If there’s any other way of “saving” a club on the brink of the dreadful relegation; it shouldn’t be at the expense of Kotoko because that will be strongly resisted. 

Unimpressive and cheated too

Referee J. Lamptey and his assistnat cheated Kotoko. 

Referee Joseph Lamptey lived up to expectation. Yes, he did! Let’s not be too disappointed. This referee has in the past taken controversial decisions in games he has officiated both at home and abroad. On Sunday, in the Kotoko-Medeama MTN FA Cup final, he showed a bad judgement when he disallowed substitute Richard Mpong’s goal to ruin what could have been an exciting night of entertaining football.

I’m neither a bad nor a bitter loser. I believe that, when a referee’s decision robs a team of victory, that team has every right to talk about it. Kotoko on the night was less impressive. That isn’t in contest. Our defence, which has been quite formidable for most part of the second half of the season, let us down this time.

The solid partnership that has been seen between centre backs Ahmed Adams and Abeiku Ainooson was absent. That was gave away two cheap goals to Medeama who right from the start, appeared stronger, organized and more determined than Kotoko. Again, the compatibility that has been witnessed in our midfield in the last few league matches was also non-existent. Jackson Owusu wasn’t at the party so was Michael Akuffu.

It was good Amed Toure scored to cancel the deficit three minutes after Medeama shot into the lead in the 34th minute. However, the Ivorian striker on the night could have had more than a goal but for his grave wastefulness upfront. Goals are the lifeblood in the game of football. No team walks away victorious on the field of play without scoring. A team must score to win. That’s why it’s painful when you struggle to score only for it to be disallowed for no apparent reason.

I won’t call Referee Joseph Lamptey and his Assistant One, A. S. Malik names but let me point out that, performances like what they exhibited mar the beauty of football while at the same time destroying the good effort teams make ahead of matches or in the course of matches.

I don’t expect these referees to come back and apologize. It’s rare for our referees to do that. And even if they do, it neither changes the result nor does it erase the loss. If anything at all that only assuages the pain of defeat. I believe that, some of our referees have got to buck up and give local football enthusiasts reasons to follow the game passionately.

It’s disheartening to have football fans travel from far and near places – risk their irreplaceable lives on horribly bad roads to spend hard earned currency in these terrible economic times on football matches only for a referee and his assistant to perform as bad as we saw on Sunday.

The two referees shouldn’t feel bad that the commentary on their performance especially by Kotoko fans have been unpleasant. If they had done well, no one in his right sense would have raised questions about their performance. As stated earlier, Kotoko was already struggling to keep their composure. The referee’s error in judgement actually worsened matters. 

It’s unfortunate that, the Porcupines couldn’t win to make it their 10th FA Cup to give supporters something to cheer about in a season where they’ve been not too impressive.

When the season finally ends in a fortnight’s time, we would have to critically look at the kind of performance that was displayed and determine how to rectify identifiable problems to ensure a more remarkable outing next season.

For the records let’s not forget that the Porcupines have failed to successfully defend both the Premier League and FA Cup titles they won last season. We should solemnly reflect on all that went on with the objective of bouncing back next season. I close today’s piece with commendation to the FA Cup committee. They have proven most of their critics of which I was one, so wrong.

I wasn’t one of those who supported the idea of taking the final to Sekondi but that decision turned out to be a good one on the basis of what we all witnessed. The committee deserves praise for their good organization and hard work. They have established the fact that, local football isn’t dead. 

We only need to plan and organize well. But in all this don’t let us take for granted the magnetism of Fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko easily the best supported football club in the country. I say kudos to the FA Cup committee.