Sports News of Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Source: --

Nyantakyi's Reign has been disastrous for Ghana -Abedi

... Our local league is rotten and we've won nothing at senior level under him

Legend Abedi Pele has launched an astonishing attack at Kwesi Nyantakyi saying his reign as the Ghana FA boss has been disastrous for the country.

The former Black Stars captain’s tirade at Nyantakyi in the AfricaWatch magazine has exposed a massive rift between the two respected figures in the Ghanaian game.

Nyantakyi has been hailed by many for leading Ghana to their first two World Cup appearances and Africa’s first U20 World Cup title.

The lawyer has also been hailed in many quarters for the attractive sponsorship packages the national team and local leagues have received under his administration.

However, the three-time African Player of the Year says Nyantakyi cannot take credit for the Black Stars World Cup successes insisting the local league is rotten.

“You judge it (performance) by what someone has achieved locally and not what the foreign based players of the Black Stars achieved in the 2010 World Cup,” Abedi Pele told the AfricaWatch magazine’s 2011 March edition when asked about Nyantakyi’s performance.

“We look at organization, efficiency and hard work at all levels. All these things in the local terrain have been poor and for me that’s the way I judge, and that’s what I see.”

Ghana crashed out of the CHAN in the first round without winning a match in the continental tournament meant for home-based player.

“Just look at the performance of Ghana at the just ended African Nations Championship (CHAN),” Abedi Pele said.

“That gives a clear indication that our football is in shambles and very gloomy in the future.

“But if Ghanaians are happy with Kwesi Nyantakyi’s performance, so be it.”

Abedi Pele insists he is not interested in becoming Ghana FA president. “It is something that has never caught my interest. I am not interested and I will never be interested,” the former national captain stressed.

When asked what his relationship with Nyantakyi is, Abedi said: “He cannot come to my house to come and eat and I will not go to his house eat.”

The rift between the two guys emerged in the wake of nominations for the executive committee of CAF elections earlier this year.

Abedi wanted to contest the position but the Ghana FA board had confirmed Nyantakyi to contest the elections in Sudan which he won.