Kenpong Group of Companies chairman Mr Kennedy ‘Cappuccino’ Agyapong has made a passionate appeal to the football fraternity to exercise restraint regarding the reign of Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Speaking to the media in an informal get-together in Accra, he pleaded with those calling for Nyantakyi’s head to wait till Congress 2015.
He mentioned that the GFA president can not be blamed entirely for the Black Stars failure in this year’s World Cup; citing the delay of the team’s bonuses which led to revolt in camp as a classical example.
Mr Agyapong, who Daddy Lumba featured prominently in his famous ‘Yen tie obiaa’ video at his(Cappuccino) plush Airport Residential Area residence blamed some of the players for the Brazil disaster.
“Some of the players should be blamed too, they don’t sacrifice and respect like players like Stephen Appiah and co did, they were money conscious, and I think that let.
Cappuccino advised that taking the law into our own hands to topple the FA boss will amount to government interference and will incur the displeasure of FIFA to ban Ghana like it has happened to Nigeria.
The former Asante Kotoko Board Member said “I would like to plead with persons calling for Nyantakyi’s head to be patient with him to continue in office till the next elections in 2015.
“We can’t blame him solely for the Black Stars failure and the fallen standards of the domestic league. Those calling for his head accuse him of the fallen standards in the local league, which I disagree.
“In the past, quality players like Joe Debrah, Shamo Quaye, Senegal, Prince Polley and co attracted fans to the stadia, now, the few quality ones play for just a season, and their clubs sell them to foreign clubs, so you go to the stadium, and you don’t enjoy good soccer because there are no stars.
“Families of the star players force club administrators to release their wards when foreign team request for their services for financial reasons, how do we blame the FA when such a situation arises.?
“Our excellent performances in our previous World Cups have made Ghanaian players very attractive, so foreign clubs chase them, making our leagues weaker by the day.
“In the 90s we had great players like Abedi, Tony, Ali Ibrahim, Damba and co but we couldn’t make it to the World stage. Some have argued that the current generation are doing well because of the financial backing, we shouldn’t forget if you inherit billions of Cedis and you don’t handle it with care, you can easily lose it.”
“Some of us know how his presence on the CAF Executive Committee has benefitted Ghana as a whole, and so he should be encouraged.
“Everything points to the fact that he and his team has learnt from the Brazil experience, which I think will help take Ghana football to where we want it to be.
“I suggest all stakeholders must come together to look for solutions to address this problem to make our league stronger,” he added.