Sports
Akonnor now got ‘balls’
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Last Thursday, chief coach of the Black Stars, Charles Kwablan Akonnor, was reported to have sacked one of the team’s inspiring players – Brentford FC winger Tariqe Fosu, for reporting late to camp.
The Stars had been camping in Cape Coast for double friendlies against Morocco (played on Tuesday on June 8 in Rabat) and Cote d’Ivoire (set to be played today at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium).
Deep-throat sources have confirmed the story, though some members of the national team initially tried to be dodgy and debonair about the issue.
Originally, it was reported by various media outlets that Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, was the one flushed out of camp for reporting late – an allegation that was later to be debunked. Partey, it was explained by the Ghana FA later, had sought permission to be excused from the friendlies. People still hold contrary views.
It does not make sense to keep some of this information to the chest. In many jurisdictions, this incident would have been announced much earlier by the FA, so people do not make speculations here and there.
The swashbuckling Fosu, who played an instrumental role in Brentford’s qualification to the English Premier League, was one of the many foreign-based players invited for the two friendlies. And, being one of the fast rising Stars’ players, one would have expected him to join his colleagues in camp a day or two after touching down. At worst, he could have called the coach, to be excused.
From all indications, the UK-based player never did that – only for him to report to camp, five days or so after landing on home soil. That, certainly, is offensively unacceptable.
Worse was when he was spotted all over social media ‘chilling’ at a social event involving compatriot Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi – who is also in the country for holidays, after a momentous season that culminated in the lifting of the UEFA Champions League trophy.
The Brentford winger was also captured in an exhibition game organised by Ghanaian musician King Promise at the Sakumono Queensland AstroTurf in Accra which involved Hudson-Odoi.
Manifestly upset about the foregoing, Akonnor had no choice but to reverentially ask the 25-year-old Fosu – who reported to the team’s camp 48 hours before their departure for the Morocco game – to leave because he was no longer part of his plans for the trip.
Though one does not have a comprehensive detail of what fully triggered Fosu’s sacking, one fact that was established was that the order came from Coach Akonnor.
By that show of ‘power,’ the Stars’ trainer has displayed rare courage, an act that could go a long a way to instill discipline in camp.
This is what we expect to see of Ghanaian coaches. As we have hammered over the years, nobody in the national team is indispensable. Nobody is untouchable. Nobody is irreplaceable. Nobody is more superior to the other. And, this is something that must be drummed home over and over again into the heads of our players.
What Akonnor has done would earn him more respect that condemnation and he must be goaded to do more.
During the 19th edition of the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia (1994), Zambia’s Irish coach Ian Porterfield (now late) sacked his team’s most in-form player at the time – Gibby Mbasela, ahead of a critical game, for breaching camp rules. Though Porterfield’s decision was lauded, many Zambians thought it was not judicious as it came barely 24 hours or so to a crunch game against ‘stubborn’ Mali.
Mali had then flushed out no other side than Egypt from the competition, beating the Pharaohs 1-0 in a frenetic quarter final clash – thus putting fear in the rest of the pack.
But that was the ideal moment Porterfield had chosen to sack the dazzling midfield loom, Mbasela. The message was clear: Nobody in the team was indispensable! Grippingly, morale in the camp of the Chipolopolos rather shot to the zenith.
Come to think of it, the Zambians proceeded to whitewash Mali 4-0 in an explosive semi-final clash – before losing respectably in the final to Nigeria 2-1, after Elija Litana had shot them into a third minute lead.
Though Zambia failed to win the trophy, Porterfield’s decision was hailed, and it is still celebrated, having pumped some depth of discipline into the fabrics of the team till date.
Like the former Zambia coach, Akonnor has been basking in all the showers of praise for that singular act. Of course, if for nothing at all, the rest of the players would sit up and be careful not to slip into any kind of misery.
Fosu may have behaved the way he did because he thought a ‘star’ as he is steadily mushrooming to be, he could report to camp even at the 11th hour and still get the benediction of the coach. Is it because Akonnor is a black coach? Fosu will certainly not dare to report to camp late if there was a white coach in charge of the Stars. Not so? It is high time our players respected their own.
When given the nod as Black Stars’ head coach, Akonnor promised to be his own man. Many doubted him. They say he has no ‘balls’ to bite. They say he could only be a yowling lot. Perhaps, by his action on the young Fosu, the same cavilers may start taking him seriously now.
One question on the lips of the game’s followers, however, is that would Akonnor have the guts to kick out marquee names like skipper Andre Ayew and brother Jordan, Partey himself and any of the most senior players had they gone the way of Fosu?
Well, until that happens, let us give Akonnor the credit for at least trying to drill some dose of discipline into the team.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
Days before the Black Stars exit from the World Cup, the national team jersey was the hottest item in Ghana and markets in Tamale.
Today, they swings on trees, while song hang motionless in frontage of shops and roadside stalls, due to Ghana’s painful exit from the championship.
The excitement that once gripped football fans across the country has suddenly given way to disappointment, leaving hundreds of traders with unsold Black Stars jerseys that many had hoped would ‘disappear’ before the tournament ended.
From the Central Market to Aboabo, Lamashegu, the hospital road pavement and other busy commercial centres in Tamale, retailers who had enjoyed brisk business during Ghana’s World Cup campaign now sit quietly beside stacks of jerseys, waiting for buyers who may never come.
“Business was booming when the Black Stars was in the tournament,” said Ibrahim Abdulai, a jersey dealer in Tamale.
“Every match day brought more customers. Some people even bought different jerseys after every match because they believed Ghana would go far.”
According to him, demand rose so sharply that prices nearly tripled as optimism swept across the country.
“A jersey that was selling for GH¢90 suddenly jumped to between GH¢200 and GH¢500 depending on the quality. The authentic replica jersey was the most sought-after and customers were willing to pay almost any price for them,” he explained.
The majority flooding the local markets were replicas of varying quality, imported quickly from Togo to meet growing demand.
For many buyers, authenticity didn’t matter, it was the show of support for the national team.
Some male fans were compelled to buy different customised jerseys for their girlfriends. A man spent GH¢1,850 on jerseys just to wow his girlfriend; so did many men. We hardly saw ladies buying the jerseys.
“I bought four different jerseys,” admitted 31-year-old football enthusiast, Richard.
“I wanted a different one for every important match. Football is about passion. When Ghana was progressing, everybody wanted to be part of the excitement.”
The World Cup frenzy created a temporary economic boom that extended beyond jersey sellers.
Young entrepreneurs offering on-the-spot customisation services worked tirelessly printing names, favourite players’ numbers and personalised messages on jerseys.
Street vendors, mobile hawkers, printers, embroidery operators and small retail businesses all benefited from the surge in demand.
“It wasn’t only the sellers making money,” explained Abdul Karim, who is specialised in jersey customisation.
“People wanted their own names or their favourite players’ names printed immediately. We worked from morning until late at night because the demand was overwhelming,” he added.
For many young people, the tournament provided short-term employment and a valuable source of income.
However, Ghana’s elimination brought the booming business to an abrupt halt.
“Some customers have even returned asking if they could exchange or return the jerseys because Ghana is out,” one trader said with a smile.
“We told them that once you buy it, you own it,” he said.
Others simply walked past the stalls without stopping, something that would have been unimaginable just a few days earlier.
Many traders are now hoping the jerseys will still attract buyers beyond the tournament, arguing that supporting the national team should not depend solely on winning.
Football analysts say the fluctuating demand demonstrates how sporting success influences consumer behaviour and local economies.
As national pride grew during Ghana’s World Cup journey, so did spending.
Every game came with increased confidence, higher demand and rising prices.
But once the dream ended, so did much of the commercial excitement.
The phenomenon reflects what has been witnessed in many football-loving nations around the world.
During successful international tournaments, national team merchandise often experiences unprecedented demand, creating opportunities for retailers, manufacturers and informal sector businesses. Yet the momentum can disappear almost overnight when a team is eliminated.
Karim noted that the unsold jerseys remind us that football brings people together.
“When Ghana was playing, everyone wore the colours with pride. The business may have slowed down, but our support for the Black Stars remains.”
As the World Cup continues without Ghana, the once highly sought-after jerseys remain suspended from tree branches to shop entrances and market stalls across Tamale, a symbol of hopes that soared with every victory but faded with the final whistle.
For now, the jerseys are still hanging.
Perhaps not for another World Cup match, but for another moment when the nation once again rallies behind the Black Stars, and the red, gold and green return to the streets with the same passion that briefly transformed football into business.
From Geoffrey Buta, Tamale
The four-day international tennis championship between the Accra Lawn Tennis Club of Ghana and Ikoyi Sports Club of Nigeria is set to reach its climax tomorrow at the Accra Lawn Tennis Courts (ALTC) in Accra.
According to the organisers, tomorrow would witness high profile matches with a lot at stake as both clubs aim to unsettle each other to enhance the rivalry between the two nations.
The event is an annual arrangement between the two clubs that sees the championship rotated among them.
The team representing Ghana includes Thomas Amoako Boafo, Issek Antwi-Agyei, Dr Abraham Oppong Adjei and Palm Nii Okine for the 40+ years’ division.
The trio of Dr Bankah, Abeiku Bentsi and Ekow Arthur will be in contention for the 50 years plus group while the pairs of Dr Maxwell Adjei and Edmund Nii Botchway, Frederick Van De Vyer and David Carreras and Nicholas Kumadey and Palm Nii Okine feature against the Nigerians in the Doubles championship.
In the Men’s division, the onus would be on Chris Hammond, Kweku Amakye, Nana Dr Kofi Boakye, Chris Tagoe, Dr Henry Holdbrook-Smith, Nick Akpebu, Brian Benneh and Michele Nemesi to make the ALTC proud.
The women for the Ladies competition are Kate Coleman, Fatiha Menzel, Naa Ofoli, Wendy Quartey, Wanda Quartey and Kuukua Bartels-Kodwo.
Veteran player, Peter Annan, will be the Acting Captain of Team Ghana and would be ably assisted by Lawrence Lartey.
Expected to lead the ALTC is Dr Maxwell Adjei, who is the newly elected Chairman of the club. He is also the Head of Dental at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital).
Mr Peter Annan, the Acting Captain of ALTC, told The Spectator that as part of the arrangement for the international friendly, a special tour was organised for members of Team Ikoyi.
He was confident that as the host club, ALTC will prevail as winners of this year’s edition which ends tomorrow.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
