Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom , the 2016 PPP presidential candidate , has taken another serious dig at the Ghana Football Association and football in general in the country following the latest defeat his football club , Elmina Sharks, suffered at the Dormaa Nana Agyeman Badu Park last Sunday.
In the penultimate league tie, Sharks who lost their first premier league game at home against the same opponent – Aduana Stars – were defeated by the Brong Ahafo side once again. Rashid Abdul leveled things for the home side after Benjamin Tweneboah’s strike earlier but a second half penalty converted by Sam Adams won the game for Yusif Abubakar’s side and according to the entrepreneur – whose GN Bank is headline sponsor of the GFA DOL – his team was impeded by poor officiating in both losses against the league champions.
The top politician took the his official Facebook page on Monday morning to cry foul and the full text is reproduced and highlighted below :
SO THIS IS GHANA FOOTBALL??
When is football not football? When administrators strategize to cheat. When referees take bribes to decide the outcome of matches, when losers on the field of play rely on “ways and means” off the field to win points, when fans believe they must make opposing side afraid to play, when players are given money to play against their own teams, etc. etc. This is the football I have come to experience in this first year of our team, the Fearsome Elmina Sharks being in the Premiere League.
We had negative experiences in Division Two. The Division One experience was sometime frightening with some of our players and officers sometimes ending up in the hospital due to attacks by opposing fans and officials. But we thought the Premiere League would be more disciplined, orderly and with all the media exposure, more focused on the action on the field.
Wrong!
The GFA must change its habits and attitudes. It must promote exciting soccer where winning will depend on the players and how well they play. There are reasons why the Ghana Football League lacks sponsors. For me it is unexciting performance due to cheating referees, administrators and undisciplined fans.
Our team is here to stay. So I will not remain as silent as I have been about these problems. I enjoy soccer. And I can’t sit by and watch the stealers keep stealing.
By the way, Aduana Stars are on top of the league and soon to be declared champions officially.
Really?
Our team lost to them twice this season. Twice, it was the referee who decided the outcome. I know when we lose to a better side.
No wonder not many people go to the football venues to watch our local matches but parade around wearing Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Barcelona and other jerseys here in Ghana.
Change must come!
Meanwhile critics have been quick to suggest that Ndoum has no moral right to beat the drum because all teams in the country – including his Elmina Sharks – are part of the problems the clubs currently face with regards to bribing match referees.
Follow Gariba Raubil on twitter @GRAUBIL
