Sports
Let’s support Kurt to climb up
Life has been cruelly unfriendly to many people; conversely, others have been at the gleaming end of the same rod.
It is often said life is generally unfair. Others say, life is how you make it. Well, it depends on which side of this philosophy you belong.
Admittedly, however, one could be struck by a whammy of misfortune when least expected.
The story of former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, is still freshly etched on the minds of Ghanaians and the world at large.
Nyantakyi, was the First Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) – just a step away from becoming the eventual boss, when he was removed from office and subsequently banned, following the Anas Aremeyaw Anas Number 12 Investigations that exposed some heart-rending rot in Ghana and African football.
Some believe the exit of Nyantakyi was a finely-orchestrated one by his ‘avowed enemies’ who could not stand his meteoric rise – from West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B boss, CAF Veep to FIFA Council member, having occupied the GFA seat too for a decade and three years.
It was very pathetic the way Nyantakyi, the man whose administration took Ghana to its first World Cup (Germany 2006) – topping up with two more Mundials (South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014), ended an otherwise illustrious, magnificent career.
Indeed, several experts and disciples of the continental game had predicted Nyantakyi was going to become the first Ghanaian CAF President.
Willy-nilly, it is history now and we can only learn from the bitter past as we plunge into what seemed to be an unknown but bubbling future.
Gracefully, the current President of the GFA, Kurt E.S Okraku, was recently co-opted onto the Executive Committee of CAF, a position that could be made regular in the coming months, all things being equal. It is good news! It is what Ghana needs!
Like Nyantakyi, Kurt was unanimously approved as the WAFU Zone B President, coming on the heels of his election as Ghana FA boss.
Nature has a way of rewarding people; sometimes harshly and other times pleasantly smooth. But whatever happens to you might be an upshot of present or previous engagements, especially with those who appear closest to you.
It is the reason Kurt would have to take a leaf from Nyantakyi’s never-to-be-forgotten experience so he does not fall into that damning pit.
As he silently aspires to work his socks off to the summit of African and world football, he has to be cautious with those he call friends and cronies.
People who will plot his downfall would not descend from space; they are close to him – and dine with him. Of course, there are very loyal ones amongst them and we need no one to tell Kurt who they are!
For now, let us as a people goad Kurt on – give him the needed backing in his quest to climb the higher echelons of football.
The usual attitude of shooting ourselves, pulling ourselves down and killing our own selves must be discarded for the common Ghanaian interest.
Let’s protect him. Let’s guide him. Let’s pray for him for he has few more steps to climb.
PlainTalk With John Vigah
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
