Sports
‘NSA cannot afford cost if football returns behind closed doors’
The Board Chairman for the National Sports Authority (NSA), Mr Kwadwo Baah-Agyemang, says the body cannot afford to bear the cost if football resumes behind closed doors at the various stadia across the country.
There have been reports that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is engaging government to ensure the football season continues behind closed doors as is being done in some parts of Europe.
The NSA boss Peter Twumasi had indicated in an interview that the clubs would have to pay up to GH¢60,000 should the season resume behind closed doors.
According to Mr Baah-Agyemang, the NSA will not be able to afford the cost that will be incurred when football is played behind closed doors.
Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, he said, “If the league would return and be played behind closed doors, the National Sports Authority can’t afford the cost that will come. We have to put some safety measures in place before the teams can play and all these require money.”
He also advised the Ghana FA not to rush in restarting the season because Ghana has its own peculiar problems in the fight against the COVID-19.
“We shouldn’t rush in returning football because we have to get things right first before making any decisions. I agree with the school of thought that the season should be cancelled.
“We shouldn’t rush if the Western world is already playing. If it’s easy, the EPL [English Premier League] would have started a long time. Other European countries are calling off their football seasons. Even France and Belgium have declared their champions and Ghana is of no exception.
“We need to ensure that we have the capacity to protect those involved in our game before even play resumes,” he added. – Ghanasoccernet
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
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