Randy Abbey, long time host of Metro TVs Morning discussion show and owner of Kpando Hearts of Lions, appears set to battle it out for the top job in Ghana football, the GFA Presidency come next year when the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is expected to go to congress.
There had been recent speculation among football circles that the former Hearts of Oak and GFA Spokesperson was eyeing the GFA Presidency and scheming to take out current President, Kwesi Nyantekyi at the next Congress of the GFA but these speculations remained speculations until last weekend when T-Shirts declaring his interest in the top job were rolled out and were seen in various parts of Accra and Kumasi.
Randy Abbey’s main entry into football began via Hearts of Oak where he served as Spokesperson of the club before he made himself into the mainstream administration of the GFA, serving as Executive Committee and Emergency Committee Member of the Association.
He appeared to have suffered a slight change in fortunes when he left Hearts of Oak and was also defeated in his bid to gain reelection to the all powerful Emergency Committee of the GFA although he managed to maintain his membership of the Executive Committee.
His attempt to be appointed as the CEO of Hearts of Oak also failed to materialize.
However, a few months ago, Randy acquired a majority stake in Kpando based Heart of Lions FC, a move that took many in the football fraternity by surprise.
Current GFA President, Kwesi Nyantekyi, has been under some heat since the ill fated Black Stars appearance at the Brazil 2014 World Cup with prominent persons, key among them being various government and NDC functionaries like National Women’s Organizer of the Party and Deputy NADMO Coordinator, Anita Desoso and Central Regional Propaganda Secretary of the Party, Allotey Jacobs, calling for the head of the GFA President while others like Greater Accra Chairman of the Party, Joseph Ade Coker, NDC Korle Klottey Chairman, Harry Zarkour, have openly vowed to do everything to kick the incumbent FA President out of that office.
Other NDC activists like Brong Ahafo Kingpin of the Party, Kofi Manu, Deputy Women’s Organizer of the NDC in the Western Region, Araba Tagoe and National Organizer of the Party, Yaw Boateng Gyan, have all at one time or the other in recent days confirmed that there are plots within segments of the ruling party to use all possible means to get rid of Kwasi Nyantekyi and to have their preferred choice at the FA.
It remains to be seen whether the NDC and the government machinery will go out in full force to support the bid of Randy Abbey, who is a known close ally, friend and confidante of President Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama but whatever it is, the entry of the popular media face into the GFA race should spice up the contest.
