Opoku Nti weeps for Ghana football

Asante Kotoko General Manager Samuel Opoku Nti has described the dwindling fortunes of the country’s football as very worrying.

The former Black Stars and Asante Kotoko midfielder pointed out that the lack of basic techniques in football was having a telling effect on the game and if care was not taken it would eat deeper into the sports’ fibre.

He said the total neglect of football basics was a clear testament of what was being witnessed in football in the country – from juvenile through lower tier to the top flight league.

Nicknamed Lord Zico, Mr. Nti, who spent most of his professional career in the Swiss League in the 80s, pointed out that the basic ‘break, control, pass’ rule is missing, and attributed it to the uninspiring football being witnessed lately on the local front.

“Ghana risks being the loser in the next few years to come because of the lack of basics in football. We have abandoned the basics and it is having adverse effects on our game.

“We have abandoned the academies and left it in the hands of people who have little or no knowledge of the game to train our young footballers.

“It is very sad to see a colts coach scream at players; some even insult them after the player had miskicked a ball. Instead of demonstrating how it should be done, they insult them because the person issuing out instructions has no technical knowhow.

“When was the last time you saw a player chest a ball and delivered a non-drop? You don’t have to teach Messi or any big player who has made it to the top the basics because they know it already,” said Nti.