Old guards fear no foe

The elections of new members to constitute the next Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Ghana Football Association evokes a sense of de ja vu as the old script appears certain to be re-written once again.

With the exit of Randy Abbey, who once contested and won via Accra Hearts of Oak, Kessben FC and Tudu Mighty Jets tickets, as well as Fred Pappoe (Accra Great Olympics), the coast has been cleared for some new faces to enter the fray through the 11 slots provided by the Premier League bracket.

But by far the most interesting part of the jigsaw will be how the old fare against the new and indications are that the old, such as Fred Crentsil (who has been the vice president of the GFA since the passing of Jordan Anagbla), George Afriyie (chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee) and Kudjoe Fianoo (CEO of Ashgold and current vice chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee) appear unshaken by the looming threat encapsulated by the fierce challenge from some of the new entrants.

Since his entry into mainstream football politics, Crentsil has built around himself a formidable force that has intrigued and confounded many who are unimpressed by his style of getting the work done without trumpeting his deeds.

His involvement dates back to the days of Y.A Ibrahim (in the early part of 2004) until the current GFA Statutes, of which he was a member of the drafting team, were adopted.

In the elections that followed, Crentsil garnered the highest votes as a representative of Saint Mirren. He maintained that status when he stood on the ticket of Accra Hearts of Oak and appears certain to maintain that record as he contests on the ticket of Techiman Stars as a Division One representative.

Among the 11 vying for the four slots on the Division One League, Winfred Osei (aka Parma) appears the next likely to tip the scales as he has learned the ropes significantly to appreciate what the delegates want.

 Another candidate expected to win from the division is F.K. Mensah, a director of Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs, leaving the likes of Kurt Okraku (the CEO of Dreams F/C), who have just qualified for the Premier League, Fred Acheampong (a director of New Edubiase),    Sometimer Otuo Acheampong and Lawyer Kweku Ayiah among four others to battle six others to join Crentsil, Parma and Mensah for the six Division One slots.

For the Premier League Division, where the full force of the battle will be brought to bear in tomorrow’s elections, there are indications that old guards, such as George Afriyie and Kudjoe Fianoo, will win to retain their positions on the ExCo.

 Afriyie, with the nourishment from the support of the president of the GFA, Kwesi Nyantakyi, arguably a key factor in the whole equation, has won many admirers to his side.

Fianoo, as one of the most experienced on the Ghanaian football landscape, has built a formidable network which makes him one of the favourites to win.

Sometimes very critical of the establishment, Fianoo is still considered a vital ingredient for the administration of football in the country.

Aside, Afriyie and Fianoo, the likes of Frank Nelson Nwokolo (a director of Accra Hearts of Oak), Eric Senaya (CEO of Inter Allies), Nana Banyin Eyeson (board chairman of Sekondi Hasaacas), Albert Commey (CEO of Aduana Stars) and Kofi Manu (aka Blue Blue) are likely to make it into the 11-member Premier League team.

But information gathered from some delegates by the Graphic Sports as of the time of going to press yesterday indicated that Kotoko’s CEO, Opoku Nti, might have some troubles due to developments in his club threatening his position.