Sports
To err is human…
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Richard Atta (left) and Kwame Opare Addo (right), Comunications Director, console Ayi after the game
Two major errors defined the latest Ghana version of the ‘clasico’ as Accra Hearts of Oak lost 2-3 to their bitter rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko last Sunday.
One was a disastrous goalkeeping blunder by Hearts goalkeeper, Richard Ayi; resulting in an easy goal that is usually not seen in matches involving the two rivals.
Ayi clearly appeared confused over how to deal with a goal-bound strike and in the midst of that confusion, he parried the ball to the path of a lurking Kotoko player who had the easiest task of banging into a yawning net.
The second were blatant offside calls that were either disregarded by a 22-year-old inexperienced referee, Reginald Collins Amoah, appointed for such a big game. It may also happen that the referee with his Assistant genuinely missed those infringements.
On two occasions, Kotoko players appeared in offside positions in the build-up to the shot that Ayi failed to deal with.
Hearts, after the game, have attempted to discredit the feat of the Porcupine Warriors, calling it a referee assisted win.
Comments like “Kotoko could never have beaten us but for the bad and inconsistent officiating” have been heard from the Phobian corridors.
A few fans have also not spared goalkeeper Ayi the ‘verbal’ rod.
But, perhaps, what seems momentarily lost on disappointed fans is that football is not just a game full of uncertainties. It is also error-strewn.
Even in more advanced leagues such as the English Premier League (EPL) La liga of Spain, Serie A of Italy, Liga Portugal and many others, such errors have become part and parcel of it.
Some of these errors, even with the aid of video assistants, cannot be acceptable but can also not mean the end of the game.
Top coaches like Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool and a few others were handed sanctions for speaking their minds about poor officiating.
Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City charges were handed a strange decision in a game against Tottenham Hotspurs in the English topflight. That decision can be said to have denied City a goal and ultimately the three points.
But Guardiola in his post-match interview indicated that those decisions cannot be the reason why they dropped points because in the cause of play, several other chances were created which were missed due to players’ erroneous judgment.
Ayi and Ref. Amoah may have committed blunders that denied or worsened the plight of the Phobians but that would be no justification for the backlash they have been subjected to.
What should be a matter of concern is the commentaries on the airwaves and various sports channels is the vilification and slanderous comments about the young Ghanaian match official and Richard Ayi.
Instead of the maligning and smearing campaign, fans should be minded about the fact that these are young and promising sports men who have a lot to offer.
Depending on their mental fortitude, some of these disparaging comments can have a negative impact on them and plunge their respective careers into oblivion. It is the reason fans must forgive them and look ahead with the hope that the situation will strengthen them to become the best.
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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Manchester City Football Club has lodged a comprehensive appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission in relation to its long-running disciplinary case.
In a statement on Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Club confirmed that the appeal was filed at 7pm.
“The Club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe,” the statement said.
City maintained its innocence, stressing that a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all its positions relating to the case.
“We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete,” the Club added.
The appeal sets the stage for the next phase of the legal battle between the Premier League champions and the league over alleged breaches of financial rules, which the club has consistently denied.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
