Blame Randy Abbey, Kurt and his cronies for downfall of Ghana football and Black Stars

Ghana football has been in steady decline since Kurt Okraku assumed the presidency of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Following the Black Stars' dismal performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and their underwhelming showing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the national team's prospects continue to dwindle. There are now fears that the Black Stars might not qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco or the 2026 World Cup.

Many fans believe that Kurt Okraku's ill-timed "shout out" to the team at a dinner before a crucial must-win match, which required tactical discipline and focus, unsettled the players. As a result, they faltered during their game on the artificial turf in Libya.

In contrast, former Black Stars coach Akwasi Appiah, who famously led Ghana to a 6-1 victory over Egypt, returned to silence Otto Addo, the outspoken coach of Sudan, with a 2-0 win in an away match. This victory highlighted Appiah's tactical acumen and restored some pride to Ghanaian football.

However, many football enthusiasts argue that the problems with the national team run deeper. Some point fingers at Randy Abbey and other officials from the Kwesi Nyantakyi era, claiming they are part of the current issues plaguing Ghana football. Others suspect political interference, accusing Kurt Okraku and Randy Abbey of being aligned with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and undermining the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

During a recent appearance before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Dr. Randy Abbey, an executive member of the GFA, defended the executive committee's entitlement to a $100,000 honorarium. He argued, "When the Black Stars fail to perform, you blame us, the executive committee," justifying the payment despite poor conditions at local pitches where players train and compete.

Furthermore, reports suggest that junior team coaches, including those overseeing the Black Starlets, Black Satellites, and women's teams, are not being paid, leading to allegations of bribery and extortion in player selection.

One of the more controversial decisions was Kurt Okraku's departure from the Black Stars' camp ahead of a crucial AFCON qualifier against Libya, choosing instead to attend a friendly match involving the Black Satellites in Germany. Many Ghanaians questioned the wisdom of abandoning a must-win match for a mere friendly, especially given the high stakes involved in AFCON qualification.

As the love for Ghana football fades, with the "bring back the love" slogan now seemingly hollow, questions linger about the GFA's leadership. Kurt Okraku, Randy Abbey, and other executive committee members, many of whom are well-versed in the intricacies of football management, face mounting criticism for their handling of the sport.

Since the infamous "Number 12" exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Ghana football has struggled to recover. Fans wonder if Randy Abbey and GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo were behind the appointment of Otto Addo in their search for a high-profile coach. Now, with the national team's fortunes dangling, many supporters feel as though nothing is being done to address the pressing issues.

A member of the supporters' union expressed frustration, saying, "It feels as if there's nothing at stake, even when key players miss crucial matches that could determine our chances of qualifying for both the AFCON and the 2026 World Cup."

   Comments2