Olympics Management Board's mandate extended
for another year
CAF
awards shocker! Stolen verdict, they say
By Maurice Quansah
Accra (Greater Accra)
19 April 2002 - Ghanaian international Samuel Osei Kuffour has become
accustomed to disappointments in life. At least, the Nou Camp lesson in May
1999 has given him the thick skin to withstand the shocks of life.
But last Tuesday’s
stolen verdict at the MTN CAF Awards night in Johannesburg touched the very
core of the young man’s emotions, as what many believe legitimately belongs to
him was handed over to a Senegalese who can hardly light a candle before him,
for political expedience.
The Bayern Munich
star became the unfortunate victim of ‘mafia’ tactics within the continent’s
soccer governing body who denied him the African Footballer of the Year award
in order to satisfy CAF President Issa Hayatou’s FIFA Presidential ambitions.
Fearing that the
Cameroonian may have lost Ghana’s votes on May 28 as a result of GFA member,
Abedi Pele’s dominant role in championing the cause of incumbent Joseph Sepp
Blatter, his rival in next month’s FIFA election in Seoul, the Francophone
members within CAF’s inner circle handed El-Hadji Diouf Kuffour’s crown in
order to secure Senegal’s vote.
Like many such open robberies in sports, Kuffour left the Rainbow nation
heartbroken but with more support, sympathy and pride as the people’s champion.
Minutes after the CAF executives met to change the course of history, the
25-year-old defender was handed the crown he won as the BBC African Player of
the Year. But for his controversial exit at the Mali 2002 tournament, Kuffour
would have been decorated last February.
The BBC African
Service Sports Producer, Jenny Horrocks, who presented him with the award
called the Ghanaian “the People’s Best Footballer.” “Football is played for the
fans and if they vote Kuffour as the best in Africa, then that’s more
legitimate than an award decided by just a handful of people,” she told Graphic
Sports after last Tuesday’s shameful night to celebrate African football.
Before the diabolical
act, there was no iota of doubt that the UEFA Champions League crown, the World
Club Cup and an MVP award, as well as the Bundesliga title made Kuffour the
obvious winner of the 2001 award. Hayatou called the defender to congratulate him
as the winner on the morning of the awards night, even to the displeasure of
some CAF officials.
Minutes later, the
Sowetan newspaper, one of the sponsors of the event, took pictures of Kuffour
holding the crown at the Gold Reef Hotel for early publication. They even took
the player to their offices for several photos to be used in subsequent
publications.
MTN, the main
sponsors, were hoping to sign a sponsorship deal with the Bayern star, now a
hero among African fans, for their adverts and promotion in Anglophone
countries. But only hours before the spectacular show at the 14-storey Sandton
Convention Centre, rumours of the plot became rife, especially after Diouf
entered Johannesburg without a visa, with a 10-member contingent.
And when some CAF
officials began making eye- brow-raising movements during the function, it was
clear the plot had been hatched. No wonder the Senegalese government sponsored
a 10-man delegation to grace the occasion. As rumours began to circulate, some
members of the Ghanaian media present briefed Kuffour to ‘expect the
unexpected,’ which somehow helped him to contain the shock when the decision
was eventually announced.
He told Graphic
Sports that he even suspected something sinister when CAF executive member,
Amadou Diakite of Mali, Hayatou and Diouf walked towards the washroom and
returned minutes later during the show. All the same, the Ghanaian just hoped
it was just a dream.
Two of the most
influential members of the CAF Media Committee, Emmanuel Maradas and Mark
Gleeson of BBC, confirmed the plot. And when their fears became real, Gleeson
announced to some close colleagues that henceforth he would have nothing to
with the tainted CAf awards.
Maradas, the
publisher of African Soccer Magazine, was more diplomatic afterwards. “As a
member of the jury it will be unfair for me to disclose what we did in the
committee. As a member I just have to accept the rule of the game, even though
I’m not in agreement with the way things have happened,” he told the Graphic
Sports.
Asante Kotoko’s Chief
Executive, Mr Herbert Mensah, was equally livid at the tainted awards. “I think
the awards did not give the feeling of objectivity. Clearly, it was an award
taken over by the French-speaking executive of CAF and also a manipulation of
an event to campaign for Hayatou.”
Even for the
organisers of the ceremony, African Soccer TV, who openly declared their
support for Hayatou’s bid, they now fear of the fallouts of last Tuesday’s MTN
CAF Awards. As at Thursday evening, African Soccer TV were working out ways of
disassociating themselves from the selection process which is solely the duty
of CAF.
Christopher Bongo,
the Marketing Director of the organising body, was equally angry at the turn of
events and its implications. “It’s not because you are a Ghanaian, but there’s
only one winner here and that’s Kuffour. I don’t know when and how the verdict
changed,” he told the Graphic Sports.
It was not surprising
that the RC Lens striker was handed the trophy by Hayatou without much fanfare.
Even the presence of Kuffour was not acknowledged, and the runner-up trophies
for him and Cameroon’s Samuel E’to Fils (who boycotted the event) were not
presented. When the announcement was made, some of the Ghanaian delegation and
Kuffour sympathisers staged a walkout in protest.
Perhaps, the
flashlights of photographers were the most dominant as the applause from the
guests was not strong and sustained for such a coveted prize. While Kuffour
seemed to have taken all in good stride, his wife Francisca was more hurt as
she sobbed uncontrollably all night, having left their six-month-old baby in
Munich only to be embarrassed.
The embarrassment and
disappointment were rubbed on coach Emmanuel Afranie, who lost the Coach of the
Year race to Senegal’s French coach, Bruno Mestu, while Afranie’s Satellites’
lost the Team of the Year to Senegal’s Lions of Teranga.
In fact, Ghana’s
coachhene was not destined for an award last Tuesday. Not only was his presence
not acknowledged, but also his picture in the official brochure was replaced
with that of Fred Osam Duodu. Derek Boateng had his share of disappointment
too. He was stranded at his hotel and only made his way to the venue long after
Angola’s Pedro Mantorras beat him to the Young Player of the Year Award.
Although it was a
well-organised event attended by 760 guests, the fallout could hit CAF’s
integrity even harder and hurt Hayatou’s fragile contest with FIFA boss
Blatter. As for Ghana’s votes in the May 28 election, Sports Minister Edward
Osei Kwaku (who also presented a prize) said the country would have to take a
strong position on it.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 April 2002 - Barely two seasons ago
when champion club, Accra Hearts of Oak, assumed a fearsome status and annexed
their inaugural continental silverware, it was common knowledge for even the
uninitiated to predict matches involving the Phobians. That was when an
effective combination of the fearsome striking trio of Ishmael Addo, Emmanuel
Osei Kuffour and Charles Taylor ensured the demolition of the best defensive
systems on both local and foreign fronts.
At the time, Hearts were simply monarchs of all they
surveyed as even misfortunes turned into blessings in their favour. But today,
that magic appears to have deserted them, especially with the exit of hit men
Kuffour and Addo.
That is the more reason why Hearts' home assignment against
local rivals, Great Olympics, at the Accra Stadium on Sunday looks cagey, even
though Hearts think otherwise. As usual, debate on this titanic derby has
reached a crescendo with both camps making wild predictions.
Of course, Olympics who are now occupying the second spot have every right to flex their muscles with two points adrift of their opponents, knowing very well that matches between them normally defy the form guide. Again, the wonder club has come a long way from their crisis point which saw them sinking to their lowest ebb over the past two seasons. Having now discovered their former self, fans should expect a magical display from the "Dade" boys on Sunday.
Interestingly, die-hard Olympics fans have played down the off-season 4-2 defeat which their opponents cite as the basis for victory on Sunday. According to Olympics, they went into that Ishmael Addo farewell match unprepared, much unlike the upcoming clash for which they have really put in much. Obviously the fortunes of the two teams might hang on the tiny shoulders of Charles Taylor and Amui Quaye, even though another stalemate is imminent.
Kumasi Asante Kotoko who are currently on cloud nine following their success story on the continental scene so far will hit a bad patch when they visit the Len Clay Stadium as guests of Goldfields in a tough game. On paper, the Porcupine Warriors are favourites due to their peak form, which saw them earning a significant away draw against the dreaded Santos in Cape Town last Saturday. But that feat might not intimidate Goldfields in any way as the miners pride themselves with being the other club after Hearts to have amassed the maximum points in the league.
On the flip side, the technical expertise of coach Oti Akenten of Goldfields will come face to face with that of Ernst Middendorp for supremacy while Goldfields’ Kenneth Ababio, Issah Rahman and co. will work tirelessly to clip the wings of high-flying former teammate, Nana Arhin Duah, and Michael Osei of Kotoko.
Liberty Professionals will have the chance to snatch their maiden victory this season when they encounter Power FC in Accra on Saturday. The match will be heralded by the eagerly awaited Ghana-Nigeria Academicals encounter at the same venue. King Faisal who were drowned at Berekum last week will have the upper hand against visiting Hasaacas at the Kumasi Stadium while Maxbees are also tipped to subdue Okwawu United at Koforidua.
At Prestea, Dawu Youngsters will descend heavily on Mine Stars with the aim of claiming at least a point while the battle between B.A. United and Arsenals at the Sunyani Coronation Park might see the two combatants sharing honours. Real Tamale United will be back at their new Bolgatanga base to wrestle the three maximum points from their guests Tano Bofoakwa.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 April 2002 - A day's workshop organised by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to refresh referees of the Premier League is underway at the National sports College Winneba. A release from the GFA Secretariat said Mr Y.A. Ibrahim, Chairman of the GFA Executive Council would be the guest of honour.
Meanwhile, Professional League Board (PLB) chairman, Mr Sylvester Kyintoh Mensah, has given assurance that all referees would be at post for the Premier League third week matches this weekend. He revealed in a chat with the press that it was not the PLB, which owed the Referees Association of Ghana (RAG), which triggered their threat to the boycott.
He said the PLB had paid the RAG their per diem up to 4th week matches before the commencement of the league and explained that what was being demanded by the referees was for their work done during the middle league matches that qualified Division One clubs to the Premier Division organised by the Ghana Football Association. Mr Mensah said all officials assigned to centres for the third week game have confirmed their honouring of the matches.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 April 2002 - The Professional League Board (PLB) has rescheduled the second week Premier league match between host Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Real Tamale United for Wednesday 24 April.
Mr Kwaku Ampem Darko, Deputy General Secretary (Technical) of the Ghana Football Association told the GNA in Accra on Friday that the postponement was due to the late arrival of the Kotoko contingent from South Africa where they drew 3-3 with Santos in the first leg second round of the CAF Cup competition.
Last Sunday's match was fixed for Thursday but could not be honoured due to Kotoko's late arrival. He said Kotoko will host Santos in the return leg on Sunday 28 April and subsequently, their fourth week game against Mine Stars in Kumasi has been re-fixed for 1 May.
Mr Ampem Darko said a special memorial match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kotoko to mark the anniversary of the 9 May Stadium disaster, would be played on 5 May while the fifth week league matches for all the 16 teams would be honoured on Wednesday 8 May.
One hundred and twenty-six soccer fans were killed during a league match between Hearts and Kotoko last May when police fired tear gas into rioting fans leading to a stampede.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 April 2002 - The Board of Directors for Accra Great Olympics, has extended the mandate of the present Management Board for another year.
A statement from Justice George Lamptey, Chairman of the Board, dated 15 April mandated the present management board headed by Mr Richard Oblitey Solomon to continue in office pending the acceptance of proposed amendments to the regulations of the club.
The letter also confirmed the composition of the Management Board but asked that any review of its membership should be sent to the board for approval. He extended the appreciation of the board and supporters of the club because of the able manner in which they managed the affairs of the club in the past season.
Justice Lamptey expressed the hope that the same zeal and tenacity of purpose that carried them through last season would guide them even to greater achievements in the coming season.
Meanwhile, Mr Solomon has also thanked members of his management committee for their hard work in rebuilding the team within the short time at their disposal and for holding their own in last year's league against all odds. "Our achievement clearly resulted from the joint efforts of all of us on the management and it is my fervent hope that you would approach our obligations this season with similar dedication and commitment".
Other members of the management committee are Mr Fred Pappoe, Stephen Adjei-Nmashie, Kwame Tayki, Emmanuel Nii Ankrah, and Robert Fleisher-Djoleto. The rest are Dr Albert Arthur, Hope Fiawonoo, Frank Davies and Alex Odoi.
GRi…/
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