Sports
Exit of Esso, 4 others for free … case of managerial lapse or player ingratitude?
The process in securing the signatures of players is one that club officials in charge of transfers always hope to overcome quickly.
It becomes even more cumbersome when more than one club has expressed interest in the player.
As if that is not enough, the posture of the player’s agent and the attitude of the player tend to blow the entire transaction out of proportion.
These and other factors likely contribute to the kind of celebration often witnessed among soccer fans on news that their respective teams have signed certain players.
That aura around such transfers is not only peculiar to the foreign or advanced leagues. It is a phenomenon that cuts across every league competition around the globe.
In Ghana’s football scene, two major events have occurred this week; putting fans on edge as they await a return of football action after the COVID-19 enforced break.
The first was the appointment of Nana Yaw Amponsah, a Ghana Football Association (GFA) presidential aspirant in the last election won by Kurt Okraku and being contested at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on the corridors of FIFA as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
It has come as great news for members of the Porcupine Warriors family as the new CEO has already promised ‘heaven on earth’ for the Reds ahead of the first kick under his tenure.
But reviews over that appointment appears to have overshadowed a ‘Coup d’état’ in Kotoko’s fiercest rivals, Hearts of Oak that has seen five key players of the club exit the team on the free.
Top striker Joseph Esso, Christopher Bonney, Bernard Arthur, Benjamin Agyare and Abubakar Traore were all announced to be departing the club after the expiration of their existing contracts.
In fact, the news came as a shock to many who wondered why a club of Hearts stature would allow top first team players to run down their contracts and leave for free at the end of the season.
Considering the abrupt ending of the season one could pardon the Phobians for what many see as a disaster but as usual, a few have questioned the competence of officials in charge of player transfers and negotiations.
Hearts have found themselves in similar waters in the not too distant past where players like Thomas Abbey, Vincent Atinga, Kwame Kizito and Patrick Razak left the club under similar circumstances.
This will surely give credence to the school of thought of the section of the fans that believes there is something wrong with the club’s negotiation power and managerial skills.
Truth be told, this does not happen often. Even if it does happen, it must not be on such scale but indeed, one also understands how it works when a player takes a decision against an extension; it will take more than negotiation and managerial competence to change that stance – a case in point is the Charles Taylor saga with Hearts and Kotoko involved.
Hearts have since attempted to explain issues to the fans, citing the expectation or demands of the players, especially Joseph Esso, as the reason why those decisions were taken.
As a firm believer in loyalty and commitment, it will be suicidal to keep players whose commitment to a course is hinged on only the financial benefits.
In this industry, trophies remain the biggest currency for any club or player and in Ghana, Hearts and Kotoko represent the brightest platform for any player to win laurels; forget about the recent trend where they seem to have taken a nosedive in terms of performance.
The failure of the club to convince the five players to stay notwithstanding, it is limpidly clear that the players have the lost the desire to be in the rainbow colours and should be allowed to go.
But the case of Manchester City’s Leroy Sane in the English Premier League should offer Hearts and other clubs some lessons that it is not always advisable to let the players run the entire term.
Having failed to persuade the German international to stay, Manchester City sold him with a year left on his contract and got about £40m.
In the Hearts explanation, it was stated that negotiation was ongoing for a while so one could argue that the writing was on the wall; they saw the signs but paid little attention to it.
A legend of the club, Yaw Amankwah Mireku has also attempted to defend the club, parrying the blame on the club’s management and rather sought to cite ingratitude on the part of the players and the treatment often meted out to players when they join clubs.
Of the two, the latter is very striking and is very common with local clubs and coming from a player that excelled on the local scene, it must be taken seriously.
It was unfortunate he didn’t give many details. It will therefore be difficult to explain exactly what he means but from the little experience gained by association to local clubs, it would be important to advise clubs to take such matters serious to reduce such incidence.
By Andrew Nortey
ADUANA FC’s title-winning aspirations will be on the line tomorrow when they host Asante Kotoko in a Ghana Premier League Match day 27 game at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa.
Currently lying fifth on the log, seven points adrift of leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, Aduana believes the title is within their reach and they will give it their best shot, beginning with tomorrow’s game.
In their last five fixtures at Dormaa, Aduana FC has recorded a single win, drawing twice and losing the rest, a trend coach Aristică Cioabă is hoping to end tomorrow.
Both teams have met twice this season; the first-round tie ended 1-1, with Aduana Stars knocking out Kotoko, the defending champions of the MTN FA Cup, on penalties in their round of 16, to set the tone for an epic encounter tomorrow.
Kotoko go into this game spurred by the 3-0 victory over Nations FC last week, the first after six attempts in the Garden City derby, while Aduana FC fell 2-1 to Bechem United in the Bono derby last week.
Accra Hearts of Oak will make a return to the Accra Sports Stadium to face returnees Swedru All Blacks in a cagey encounter.
Phobian fans are up in arms with their team following recent home performances.
Hearts of Oak’s home record this season at the Accra Sports Stadium stands at five matches, of which they won one, drew three and lost one.
In all, the Phobians have drawn 12 games this season, seven at home with four home victories; a pattern that has left their faithful very livid.
The Phobians, who lie fourth on the log with 42 points, six behind leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, harbour a title-winning dream, and victory tomorrow will further make that dream clear.
Coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle of Swedru All Blacks believes he has what it takes to ‘kill’ that dream of the Phobians and is looking to unleash striker Rudolf Mensah on the Phobians to continue from where he left off last week against Hohoe United.
After overtaking over Medeama SC to go top of the GPL table, Gold Stars will trek to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play Karela United tomorrow.
Karela United, who were on a five-game unbeaten run before being blown away in Berekum last week by Berekum Chelsea, are hoping to return to winning ways as they seek a top four finish.
Gold Stars coach Fritz Schmid, winner of the NASCO coach of the month for February, will be banking his hope on current leading goal king Samuel Atta Kumi to help his side solidify their stay at the top with yet another victory or a point on the road.
Coach Nurudeen Amadu of Karela United believes his side would react positively after their first defeat in the last six games last week by picking up the three points available.
After applying the brakes on former league leaders Medeama SC last week, Dreams FC will turn their attention to the Hohoe Stadium when they play as guests of Hohoe United, who are battling relegation.
The league’s second-top scorer with 10 goals, Augustine Okrah, will lead Bechem United to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena to test their strength against Samartex FC.
At the Wenchi Sports Complex, relegation-threatened Young Apostles will look to jump out of the zone with a win when they take on visiting Heart of Lions.
Berekum Chelsea will chase a second straight victory when they visit Nations FC at the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese.
The Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema New Town will today host the clash between eighth-placed Vision FC and visiting 12th-placed side Basake Holy Stars.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Laboma Beach Resort in Accra will be full of fireworks on April 5 when RBS Promotions and Box Office Promotions stage an international boxing event dubbed the ‘Resurrection Fight Night’ in Accra.
The event is set to feature top local and international boxers in what organisers described as a major platform to promote Ghana boxing on the global stage.
At the launch of the event last Friday, organisers outlined an exciting bill headlined by a 10-round national light heavyweight championship bout between Jonathan Tetteh and Abdul Aziz Quartey.
Other notable bouts included an eight-round lightweight contest between Alfred Lamptey and Maxwell Awuku, and another eight-round light heavyweight clash between Seth Gyimah of Ghana and Jamiu Animashaun of Nigeria.
Joseph Commey will face Bright Ayala in an eight-round lightweight contest, while Michael Abban takes on Benin’s Damien Zannou in a 10-round super flyweight fight.
Additional bouts will see Benjamin Lamptey battle Kamarudeen Boyefio in a six-round featherweight contest, while Clinton Nii Adjei is expected to feature in an eight-round cruiserweight contest against an opponent yet to be announced.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RBS Promotions, Dr Albert Tetteh Botchway, said the initiative formed part of efforts to nurture young boxing talents and position Ghana as a hub for international boxing.
He said the organisers were committed to producing a world champion for Ghana by 2028, stressing that it did not matter which camp the boxer would emerge from.
Dr Botchway urged unity among stakeholders in the boxing fraternity, including promoters, managers and trainers, to ensure the success of the event and the growth of the sport.
The Acting Teshie Mantse and Atofotse, Nii Martey Dzata Obrempong I, also appealed to boxers to remain disciplined and focused, noting that the event was organised in their interest to help them achieve their career aspirations.
He emphasised that boxing was a serious sport that required commitment and support from all stakeholders, adding that the event was not just a local contest but an international spectacle.
The CEO of Box Office Promotions, Mr Alex Ntiamoah, in his address described the event as more than a fight night, stating that it was a platform that blended sport, culture and business.
He said the initiative would create opportunities for fighters, brands and investors, while positioning Ghana as a destination for world class sporting entertainment.
Mr Ntiamoah further announced a series of pre-fight activities, including public appearances, workouts and a final press conference ahead of the main event.
According to him, a public workout session is scheduled for April 2, with the official weigh-in set for April 4, all at the same venue.
By Stephanie Birikorang
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