Sports News of Thursday, 21 November 2024
Source: Webbers Choice
In a surprising turn of events, popular Ghanaian sports journalist Atta Poku has shed light on why Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku is hesitant to dismiss Black Stars coach Otto Addo despite the team's abysmal performance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The revelations, aired during a live sports analysis program, have left football fans in shock and raised serious questions about the state of football management in the country.
Atta Poku suggested that Otto Addo’s position as head coach is closely tied to internal politics within the GFA. According to him, the association’s leadership has invested significant resources and credibility in the current technical team.
“Sacking Otto Addo now would expose the GFA to accusations of mismanagement and lack of foresight, something Kurt Okraku wants to avoid at all costs,” he disclosed.
However, what caught the public’s attention most was Poku’s exposé on a controversial "bus-sharing" arrangement involving the Black Stars. He alleged that certain high-ranking officials within the GFA benefit financially from deals tied to the logistics of transporting players, including the procurement and use of buses.
“These backdoor deals make it difficult for anyone within the GFA leadership to question or remove the current technical setup. There are too many interests at stake,” Atta Poku stated.
The journalist further argued that while fans have been focused on the team’s on-field struggles, these behind-the-scenes dealings are partly responsible for the decline in Ghana’s football fortunes. He called for a thorough investigation into these claims, stressing that transparency is critical for restoring public trust in the GFA.
This revelation has sparked outrage among Ghanaian football enthusiasts, many of whom are already disillusioned with the team's recent failures.
Calls for a complete overhaul of the GFA’s structure and practices have intensified, with fans demanding accountability from those in charge.
As the GFA prepares for its scheduled retreat to address the team’s failures, the revelations by Atta Poku add a layer of complexity to an already tense situation.
Whether Kurt Okraku will address these allegations remains to be seen, but the pressure from fans and stakeholders is likely to mount in the coming days.
For now, the fate of Otto Addo and the Black Stars remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Ghanaian football is at a crossroads, and bold reforms are needed to steer it back on track.