May 9th – Never Again!!

The Ohene Djan Sports Stadium (then Accra Sports Station) tragedy which took away 127 lives is the worst, most ghastly stadium disaster to have taken place in Africa. May 9th! What this date now represent MUST change our lives, our nation, our sport and our passion after a period when the whole nation were plunged into angst, pain, throbbing, indelible tears and untold sorrow.

For many, the incident has illustrated the perils of old stadiums, unprepared policing and inadequate security protocols. While stadium security has been improved in other parts of the world where disasters were once common, our officials have not sufficiently addressed the problem. We seem in the dark as we view up decisions to make for another disaster. Stadium disasters— whether they are caused by stampedes, fan violence, collapsing stadium structures or other reasons—have been an untoward part of soccer in all parts of our beloved country for over a century. I was at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi to watch the local rivalry game between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak in 2008 and the scenes that rolled up right in front of my eyes were just reminiscent of a country who isn't ready to learn. Angry Kotoko fans threw plastic bottles onto the pitch and destroyed one of the gates of the stand in their match against Sporting Mirren at the Ohene Djan Stadium in 2009 in a case which clearly tells of our lackluster way to learn from debacles .

It surely isn't worth crying over split milk with regards to the May 9th incident. Whats the forward you might be tempted to ask? We must be inspired by altruistic acts of courage. We must sustain our munificence in reaching out to those affected by this tragedy. We must continue to teach the attitudes of respect, fairness and tolerance that call us to reject odium, revenge and violence. Let us rededicate ourselves to this cause. Our nation has endured trials, and we face an intricate road ahead.

Let us lead Ghana football into an unblemished age of great forbearance and tolerance.

Lets get going, Ghana!

Do We Really Need Michael Essien?

In many ways the first reaction to this title would be "that's a silly question. Of course Ghana needs Michael Essien". That for sure would be our reaction too. But our question really should read something like this "Without Michael Essien, will the wheels really fall off Ghana's African Cup campaign?"

Without a doubt any team in the world today would need Michael Essien... fully fit. However if there is ever a team that can live without the powerhouse box-to-box midfielder, who is skilled in the defensive arts, but can rip through defences just as easily, and also launch devastating missiles from long distance, that team is Ghana. World-class midfielders seem to come a dime a dozen in Ghana, and indeed most parts of Africa. There are those who have attributed this phenomenom to the popular kick-about football on the streets and sandy pitches of Africa, played with miniature goalposts that hone the dribbling and passing skills required in midfield play.

Michael Essien took time off international football at the start of the season to focus on his club line of business. The midfield dynamo had comprehensible reasons for the break as injuries on international assignment cost him one half each of the last two seasons. In the highly gung ho and big-money era of contemporary football, no player is indispensable, and it made sense for Essien to protect his bread and butter turf. However new coach Goran Stevanovic has made Essien's return a top priority raising the debate around the 'when' of the 28-year-old's return. Is Essien taking too long or should he be allowed to return when he feels ready?

Whatever the reason, Ghana has a generation of mint fresh midfielders ready to step in for Essien and grind out results. Perhaps all fall short of the lofty standards of the Chelsea ace, but as a unit woven together by the crafty Serbian Milovan Rajevac, they became a formidable bunch to crack as Burkina Faso, Angola, Nigeria and Egypt found out at the Nations Cup in January.

Bloodied in Angola, the trio of Ghana's U-20 World Cup winning side; Agyemang-Badu, Jonathan Mensah and Andre Ayew are ready to go one step further. So too the young, but lavishly talented Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah who is the latest owner of the famous Number 10 shirt (wears it absractly on the pitch) won by Ghana's greats before him like Abedi Pele and Abdul Razak.

There is also Getafe's Derek Boateng (who is being courted by Valencia to replace the departing Juan Mata), Inter Milan's Sulley Muntari (currently on-loan at Sunderland), Schakle 04's Anthony Annan 'often hailed as the new Essien', AC Milan's Kevin Prince-Boateng (despite his recent brunt with the Ghanaian fan base), Bernard Kumordzi who plays for Panannois in the Greek league who all come in with decent experience.

"The players in the side want him there because they know how well things go when he is in the side. As younger ones he does not just give inspiration, he is a great person to learn from." Agyemang Badu who plies his trade in the Serie A for Udinese said prior to the World Cup. Plavi too has insisted that he needs his experienced players back, after our heroics of Angola and at the mundial in South Africa. We accept that, but if 'Bison' does not return in time, are we going to lose sleep for Goran Stevanovic or the Ghanaian fan? No. Why should we, when waiting in the wings are a collection of little 'Bisons'. That simple!

Boateng and Kwarasey- NATIONALISM OR OPPORTUNISM?

The World Cup- arguably the greatest theatre of the game- has a colonnade of debates surrounding its neck like an albatross when its date draws close. The discussions and debates, which already are raging on with a few months to go, have players switching nationality as one of its loudest cries. The issue has hit elevated heights on the pages of newspapers, been on the mouthing radars of sports connoisseurs and to a larger picture caused a chit-chat on the literal liaison between the Ghana Football Association and FIFA. The question of chauvinism or opportunism, on a player’s intent to switch countries, has come under the limelight yet again this week for World Cup reasons.

Here, Africa Sports’ Isaac Koufie-Amartey looks at the infamous cases of Portsmouth’s Kevin-Boateng and Adam Kwarasey, the former Norwegian Under-21 goalie who, for want of switch of nationalities, have become talked-about items.
On the surface, only 32 nations would be represented at the FIFA World Cup mundial in South Africa, bringing with them their swarming fans, their raucous chants, their beautiful colours and their indigenous rhythms to liven up the streets of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto and too many a city. But in a world where borders have less and a lesser amount of significance and people move around more without stinting than ever, this is by no means the whole story. A nippy scratch of the surface reveals a veritable mélange of nationalities and backgrounds at the finals. Ghana being one large inclusion!

Just another admirable addition to the Black Stars over-flowing abundance in midfield won’t hurt if that lad had shown promise and the muscles, vigor and affirmative ego to play at the top level. Even if it means backing on the heels of Sepp Blatter for months to sign the dotted lines of paperwork geared to see a certain Boateng pull on a Black Star shirt! Kevin-Prince Boateng has pulled up some stirring, heartening performances for a Portsmouth side that looks certain to have a bite of a Championship cherry next season. He’s proved his “ghetto” upbringing looks the exact opposite of his unsurpassed soccer skill and a passion and zeal to crack up standing ovation-like outings. Aside this show of promise and looking a fine count for team selection, his involvement in the national team set-up has taken a plunge. He would bend his knees, a lot would suggest, having his files signed, stamped and given clearance to feature for his new “countryside”. But that doesn’t sound cheap a talk! And that hasn’t left him of criticisms as well.

The playmaker almost certainly innate his talent: talk of a Ghanaian touch, his uncle was a Ghanaian international, and his grandfather is a cousin of legendary Germany star Helmut Rahn, scorer of the winning goal in the 1954 FIFA World Cup Final. Talk of talent, Boateng boasts exceptional ability, refined technique and a range of ball-juggling tricks. His skill and pace are complemented by advanced tactical awareness and a powerful physique. But all of these show of class doesn’t become a Ghanaian reality if a few situations stalls and stay the same.
Keeping clean sheets have somewhat looked the bane and blight of the Black Stars. A goalkeeper, to put a challenge on the justified first team place for Wigan’s Richard Kingston, would be welcomed in purely footballing terms. Starring for Stromgodset in the Norwegian top flight league, Adam Kwarasey, who’s played for the Under-21 side of his adopted country, has also seen stiff situations in his quest to play for Ghana. At 6ft 4in, Kwarasey is literally head and shoulders above Black Stars regulars Richard Kingston and Philemon McCarthy, who average 5ft 8in. He could well prove a proficient assistant for Kingston and just maybe pick up that solo slot to man the posts.

One issue that’s been stuck on the fronts of these two players is whether they coming with warm, earnest interests or with egotistic reasons. Kevin-Prince has been spat on with accusations that he is only an opportunist as he spurned the chance of playing for Ghana at the FIFA World Cup in Ghana waiting on a call-up by the German national team. Kwarasey also has had his share of the spoils by hands accusing him of not opening up to the Black Stars cause a long while ago and only doing so at this time for selfish reason.
Is their new theme-song to play for Ghana because of higher chances of playing at the championship in South Africa or a desire to share in the passion of a certain 23-million inhabitants? It’s an issue that never seems to be far away, and never fails to polarize public opinion. Your guess is worth an ear!

Glo 'Primary' League

Glo 'Primary' League!
Article by Koufie-Amartey Isaac

Like an incurable disease, our local premier league is still blighted with the dark-aged horror events of yesteryear's thus bringing to the fore it’s stinking, sinking reputation. Our version of the saint-like game (soccer) has been drawn from the English Premier League which has been branded the best soccer league in the world. But there is no jot of doubt that before earning this priceless accolade, certain things were done right to make it attractive in terms of packaging and lucrative in associating with it.

The English Premiership has the best sponsorship and marketing deals football can be associated with in the world. Partners and sponsors like Barclaycard and Sky TV (until recently being joined by Setanta Sports and eventually leaving the scene) have invested huge sums in broadcast rights and other marketing initiatives that have made England home to the best brand of football. What do we see in Ghana? Optimum Media Prime (OMP) is coughing up over two (2) million Ghana cedis into the league and yet nothing has changed in terms of professionalism and positioning.

The management of Ghana football has become a scarecrow to many an interested sponsor who would not want to associate themselves with the uncertainty and unfairness that surrounds our league. Until the court cases and board room wranglings which end up giving points to some clubs to change the order of individual club standings on the league table cease (Tema Youth, a distinctive example), many prospective sponsors will continue to hang on to their money bags.

The impunity with which some companies have resorted to ambush marketing and the glee with which they advertise their products and services at match venues against the ethics of modern day marketing is mind-blogging. As to whether they have the blessing of the powers that be, only the heavens know.

The English Premier League, again my reference point, would continue to the world's finest since its helmsmen have stuck religiously to the principles of marketing and advertising, syndication and production in order not to deny the competition's sponsors their due. The players are well-paid to contribute to the respective clubs in a spirit of competitiveness and backed by a rare sense of professionalism. Club owners over there are fully aware that soccer has shifted camps from being a passion of the nation to being the most sought-after profession with the highest returns and opportunities for personal improvement in the world.

In a country where superstition enjoys the pride of place in football, several reasons can be attributed to Ghana's inability to hold down our own against the other leagues in Africa but I believe poor organization, wrong decisions on the part of the top officials, unfaithfulness to signed-up contracts and poor sporting facilities have played a major role in this mess.

It behooves on the officials of our game to take advantage of the effervescent media landscape to hype our own version of the premier league to ensure that Ghana becomes an enviable brand of the game. The predilection for everything foreign soccer is also not helping matters and it is about time our sports journalist took a second look at the tilt in their reportage. Front pages, editorials and news items of most of the newspapers are exotic and issues bothering Europe play center-stage on our radio and TV stations at the expense of our local league.

Even after the then Onetouch Premier League found some space on Gateway Broadcasting Services (GBS); it still didn’t registered its presence on the minds of Ghanaians not to even talk about those in other countries. The ferocious attacking prowess of Alex Asamoah, sublime skills of Tawrick Jibril and intelligent pass-like-Scholes' attitude of Daniel Yeboah in the Glo Premier League last two year still remain in oblivion denying some of the good players the right exposure to play in the big wig leagues.

It’s been virtually the same this year with good players like John Bissah of Sekondi Hassacas, and Hearts of Oak's duo of Edwin Osei Pele Mahatma Otoo amongst others have been stabbed in the dark with virtually no one getting to know how good they are. Unlike fans of other leagues in Africa who abandon league centers in the midst of ostensible difficulties, our own Glo Premier League continues to enjoy the unflinching support of their followers even in the face of telling challenges. But is the religious support to blame for the seeming apathy on the part of the officials? I doubt such. It a pure, unadulterated case of neglect on the role of the fans.


But one thing that remains preposterous is the fact that the TV rights of our own league has been sold to a foreign company which operates a pay-per-view TV service when most of our local networks are free-to air. I sure am not against the fact that TV stations that get such rights should make the most of their investment but that should not override the desire of the people to enjoy their local leagues.

Our league is shown across Europe ( on BEN TV, a subsidiary of Sky TV) and on DStv and plans are far advanced to penetrate into the US soccer market by the start of next season in 2010 yet not a quip of news on our local stations come to mind. But I don’t blame the TV right owners that much. Some of the local stations have also developed the predilection for airing foreign matches and competitions without making any attempt to get the opportunity to telecast our version on what obtains elsewhere which they continue to make fetish of. The obvious lapse in the agenda setting role of the media needs a second look.

Until the football authorities make right all the dirty wrongs right with respect to sponsorship and TV rights, club officials pay player bonuses and seek lucrative insurance and health policies for its players', management don’t improvise on player welfare, airwaves are awashed with sports programmes around our leagues and soccer fans throng faithfully into stadiums, our league would always be pummeled to a pulp always by the pace-setters.

Glo 'Primary' League

Glo 'Primary' League!
Article by Koufie-Amartey Isaac

Like an incurable disease, our local premier league is still blighted with the dark-aged horror events of yesteryear's thus bringing to the fore it’s stinking, sinking reputation. Our version of the saint-like game (soccer) has been drawn from the English Premier League which has been branded the best soccer league in the world. But there is no jot of doubt that before earning this priceless accolade, certain things were done right to make it attractive in terms of packaging and lucrative in associating with it.

The English Premiership has the best sponsorship and marketing deals football can be associated with in the world. Partners and sponsors like Barclaycard and Sky TV (until recently being joined by Setanta Sports and eventually leaving the scene) have invested huge sums in broadcast rights and other marketing initiatives that have made England home to the best brand of football. What do we see in Ghana? Optimum Media Prime (OMP) is coughing up over two (2) million Ghana cedis into the league and yet nothing has changed in terms of professionalism and positioning.

The management of Ghana football has become a scarecrow to many an interested sponsor who would not want to associate themselves with the uncertainty and unfairness that surrounds our league. Until the court cases and board room wranglings which end up giving points to some clubs to change the order of individual club standings on the league table cease (Tema Youth, a distinctive example), many prospective sponsors will continue to hang on to their money bags.

The impunity with which some companies have resorted to ambush marketing and the glee with which they advertise their products and services at match venues against the ethics of modern day marketing is mind-blogging. As to whether they have the blessing of the powers that be, only the heavens know.

The English Premier League, again my reference point, would continue to the world's finest since its helmsmen have stuck religiously to the principles of marketing and advertising, syndication and production in order not to deny the competition's sponsors their due. The players are well-paid to contribute to the respective clubs in a spirit of competitiveness and backed by a rare sense of professionalism. Club owners over there are fully aware that soccer has shifted camps from being a passion of the nation to being the most sought-after profession with the highest returns and opportunities for personal improvement in the world.

In a country where superstition enjoys the pride of place in football, several reasons can be attributed to Ghana's inability to hold down our own against the other leagues in Africa but I believe poor organization, wrong decisions on the part of the top officials, unfaithfulness to signed-up contracts and poor sporting facilities have played a major role in this mess.

It behooves on the officials of our game to take advantage of the effervescent media landscape to hype our own version of the premier league to ensure that Ghana becomes an enviable brand of the game. The predilection for everything foreign soccer is also not helping matters and it is about time our sports journalist took a second look at the tilt in their reportage. Front pages, editorials and news items of most of the newspapers are exotic and issues bothering Europe play center-stage on our radio and TV stations at the expense of our local league.

Even after the then Onetouch Premier League found some space on Gateway Broadcasting Services (GBS); it still didn’t registered its presence on the minds of Ghanaians not to even talk about those in other countries. The ferocious attacking prowess of Alex Asamoah, sublime skills of Tawrick Jibril and intelligent pass-like-Scholes' attitude of Daniel Yeboah in the Glo Premier League last two year still remain in oblivion denying some of the good players the right exposure to play in the big wig leagues.

It’s been virtually the same this year with good players like John Bissah of Sekondi Hassacas, and Hearts of Oak's duo of Edwin Osei Pele Mahatma Otoo amongst others have been stabbed in the dark with virtually no one getting to know how good they are. Unlike fans of other leagues in Africa who abandon league centers in the midst of ostensible difficulties, our own Glo Premier League continues to enjoy the unflinching support of their followers even in the face of telling challenges. But is the religious support to blame for the seeming apathy on the part of the officials? I doubt such. It a pure, unadulterated case of neglect on the role of the fans.


But one thing that remains preposterous is the fact that the TV rights of our own league has been sold to a foreign company which operates a pay-per-view TV service when most of our local networks are free-to air. I sure am not against the fact that TV stations that get such rights should make the most of their investment but that should not override the desire of the people to enjoy their local leagues.

Our league is shown across Europe ( on BEN TV, a subsidiary of Sky TV) and on DStv and plans are far advanced to penetrate into the US soccer market by the start of next season in 2010 yet not a quip of news on our local stations come to mind. But I don’t blame the TV right owners that much. Some of the local stations have also developed the predilection for airing foreign matches and competitions without making any attempt to get the opportunity to telecast our version on what obtains elsewhere which they continue to make fetish of. The obvious lapse in the agenda setting role of the media needs a second look.

Until the football authorities make right all the dirty wrongs right with respect to sponsorship and TV rights, club officials pay player bonuses and seek lucrative insurance and health policies for its players', management don’t improvise on player welfare, airwaves are awashed with sports programmes around our leagues and soccer fans throng faithfully into stadiums, our league would always be pummeled to a pulp always by the pace-setters.