Former Youth and Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has pointed fingers at the top echelons of Ghana’s football administration, alleging nepotism and personal interests as key factors contributing to the decline of football in the country.
Vanderpuye’s comments come in the aftermath of Ghana’s dismal performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Black Stars failed to secure a single victory, leading to their premature exit from the tournament for the second consecutive occasion.
Speaking candidly on TV3’s Hot Issues, the former minister criticised the Ghana Football Association (GFA) leadership.
“People are only interested in players they are managing. In Ghana, we have people who are in football administration at the national level and also find themselves in the management of the national teams and their individual football academies.”
He also expressed concern about the reported allocation of qualification bonuses, questioning the government’s approval of $30,000.
In the past, the players played for the badge and the national flag but today it’s money.
Why should government approve $30,000 as bonuses for qualifications? It doesn’t make sense.”
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With Ghana currently on the lookout for a new Black Stars coach following the dismissal of Chris Hughton, the GFA established a five-member committee to identify his successor. The application submission deadline on February 2, 2024, has elapsed, leaving anticipation for the association’s final decision.
The Black Stars’ next competitive challenge is slated for June, where they will face Mali and the Central African Republic.
The post ‘They are only interested in players they are managing’ – Vanderpuye accuses GFA first appeared on 3News.
