Posted by Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum has responded to comments from former Black Stars skipper Stephen Appiah over the involvement of former footballers in football administration in the country.
Stephen Appiah in a recent interview claimed that former Ghanaian footballers are not getting the chance around football administration, stressing that football administration is not about grammar.
“Legends and former players are not getting the chance around football administration. I have learnt something, that football is run by footballers. It is not the grammar or English that you speak,” said Stephen Appiah on Sompa FM.
“It is about insights, that is why when I went to Italy, without speaking Italian I could understand the coach who was speaking Italian,” he added.
Responding to the comments, Henry Asante Twum divulged that it is untrue that the FA has turned its back on former footballers. He went on to mention a number of former players who are currently occupying managerial and administrative positions in the country.
“The truth is that we have never turned our back on ex-footballers. All the coaches for the Black Meteors for instance, including the team manager are ex-footballers. Laryea Kingston is the assistant to Zito for the Black Starlets. Even Samuel Boadu[the coach for Black Satelites], would have played for the national team in his playing days but for injuries.
“Even aside from coaching, some ex-internationals are in key positions at the FA. Kwame Ayew is the vice chairman of the player status committee. The list is endless,” he explained on Max FM.
Meanwhile, Executive Committee member of GFA, Nana Oduro Sarfo has apologized for his comments on Stephen Appiah. Nana Oduro Sarfo in reply to the comments from the former Black Stars skipper urged him to better himself academically if he wants to occupy football administrative positions.
The comments from the former Berekum Chelsea Chief Executive Officer (CEO) attracted backlash from a myriad of football followers, coercing him to apologize.