Kotoko angry with GFA

By: Jerome Otchere

26th February 2008

The management and teeming supporters of Kotoko are seething with rage over the Ghana Football Association’s inability to facilitate the registration of three of the club’s players for the CAF Confederation Cup.  Kotoko plays Nigerian side Wikki Tourists on March 22 at Buachi.

That is good news but the bad news is that Coach Bashir Hayford will not have the services of three players because the Ghana Football Association (GFA) did not send the International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) of these players to CAF headquarters early enough for registration.

For that reason, the three players, Kwadwo Poku – currently on suspension, Baba Adamu Armando whose whereabouts remain a mystery, and rugged defender, Richard Manu will not be eligible for matches until Kotoko reaches the quarter final stage of the competition.

Director of Communications, Kwame Baah-Nuako,  who disclosed this to the Kotoko Express late last week, said management was utterly disappointed with the country’s football governing body.

Kwame pointed out that management found the GFA’s inaction unacceptable. On what action Kotoko intends to take against the association, the Director of Communications hinted that management was first writing to the FA to state its disappointment.

The reaction of Kotoko supporters on the matter has not been particularly different from that of management.

Throughout last week, the Kotoko Express Office was inundated with calls from supporters who condemned the football association with some describing the football body as irresponsible.

Ashanti and Greater Accra Regional Circles Council Chairmen Kwadwo Nyantakyi and Ebenezer Nunoofio respectively could not conceal their disillusionment in an interview on the issue. The two Circle leaders were at a loss as to what could have led to the FA’s behaviour.

“Somebody probably did not do his work well. The FA will naturally be happy with the success of Kotoko in Africa. It shouldn’t forget that this mistake on its part could be costly. The GFA in this particular case has not carried out one of its functions well. One or two players can make a difference in matches” said the Greater Accra Circles Chairman.

Kwadwo Nyantakyi on his part wondered how the FA which represents Ghana’s interest in the football world could fail to work in the interest of a Ghanaian club especially when it was preparing for an African club competition.  He said the time had come for the GFA to note that it could not take Kotoko for granted.

He further argued that it would not be out of place for Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and Ashantigold (who could also not have some players registered as a result of the GFA’s inaction) to go on a demonstration against the FA.

Kotoko Express is not sure what action Ashantigold intends to take against the Ghana Football Association but Hearts of Oak has clearly stated their intentions.

Acting CEO of Hearts, Harry Zakkour was quoted in the Daily Graphic of February 19 as saying, “I’m not going to leave this issue hanging; certainly somebody has to pay for this incompetence by the FA”. There could be interesting times ahead if the three clubs involved this case decide to take legal actions against the FA.