Sports
Pitch violence taken too far?
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• The culprit: Coach Napari
If you offer a knee-jerk solution to a nagging problem, it would always come to haunt you.
Suffice to say, we have not seriously tackled the disturbing issue of hooliganism over the years. We have taken things for granted and we continue to suffer for it. Is it because we are not directly affected by the carnage that comes with such violence?
Only last week, a female Referee Sakina Nasara Abdul Rahman, was brutally assaulted by Coach Iddrisu S. Napari during a Women’s Division 1B League match in Tamale. As a result of the sadistic act, the injured referee had to be hospitalised at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Simply cruel!
This is has been the worrying cycle of violence we have had to endure painfully at the various league centres – year in year out, even though this case of a coach assaulting a female referee is an uncommon sight until recently.
It goes without saying that one lady referee was also attacked by a coach at Kwaebibirem a fortnight ago in the Eastern region. Ghanaians, however, are more used to seeing fans attack knights of the whistle.
As they say it, violence is violence – it does not matter where it comes from – and who perpetrated it.
Truth is that the absence of active prosecution for such rampant acts of indiscipline and violence has served to embolden the perpetrators. After all, they know that nothing will happen to them even if they are apprehended by the police. For them, there is nothing to be scared of. That is the most agonising aspect of it – seeing culprits get off the hook.
Draconian measures must be taken harsh to deal with these irredeemable and usually shameless scoundrels.
Many have also suggested that football stakeholders – spearheaded by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), must austerely chase an agenda for a sports violence and crimes bill to be advanced in Parliament and passed at the first possible opportunity.
The said bill must necessarily include the establishment of a fast-track sports court to ensure that such incorrigibles are prosecuted and gaoled.
In this vein, club owners and administrators – whose club officials and fans perpetrate the violence, must for once join the crusade and put this harrowing issue to bed.
It is heart-warming to know that the Northern Regional Football Association (NRFA), the Ghana Football Association, and the Ghana Police have worked together to ensure the coach’s arrest and subsequent prosecution. But it must not end there. If for nothing at all, this barefaced coach must be used as scapegoat to serve as a deterrent to all potential offenders.
PlainTalk with John Vigah
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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