Nyantakyi backs commencement of league

The president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, has backed the decision to start the First Capital Plus Premier League on January 18 despite the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea which begins a day before.

Many football fans in the country believe the AFCON would overshadow the league, especially on Black Stars’ match days, but the GFA boss explained that the decision was to catch up with time after losing three months to a legal tussle between King Faisal and the GFA.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Nyantakyi said, "it is possible the AFCON will have an effect on the league but we have to catch up with time after losing three months to a legal battle".

He added that in order to avoid low patronage at the various stadia, the FA will avoid playing league games on days the Black Stars have a match at the AFCON.

The GFA boss also cleared the air on the current Stars bonus issue, insisting there is no row, since the players are ready to play for any amount for their country.

The Stars will kick off their AFCON campaign against Senegal next Monday, January 19.