Road to October 25: Major football stories since Anas exposé

In the lead up to the premiere of Number12 documentary, Anas promised that ‘"The very foundation of Ghana football will collapse in a heap …” and it more than did.

That masterpiece of journalism hit Ghana football so badly that sixteen months on from its release, the sport is yet to make a full recovery from it.

It has been a volatile, chaotic and lackluster period for Ghana football with no recognizable success chalked within the period and no clear direction or path for the country’s most cherished sport.

There, however, appears to be an end in sight with the elections of the GFA president and executive set to mark a full recovery from the Number 12 and its effects.

Ahead of the elections, GhanaWeb highlights some of the major football stories since the expose in June 2018.

Suspension of the Ghana Premier League

The GPL was one of the immediate casualties of the expose. Less than 24 hours after the airing, the GFA announced that it had suspended all local football activities. The GPL, DOL and MTN FA Cup all came to a halt as a result of the order.

Expectations were that once the dust settled, domestic football would resume but it never happened.

Nyantakyi’s suspension, resignation and ban

In the immediate aftermath of the documentary, Kwesi Nyantakyi was initially suspended by the Confederation of Africa Football and FIFA for violating some of their codes of ethics.

Nyantakyi was also forced to resign from his post as GFA President and subsequently got a lifetime ban from FIFA. He is still contesting the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

Liaison Committee / Normalization Committee

In the absence of an Executive Committee, FIFA in consultations with the government and CAF announced a two-member liaison team to run Ghana football. Dan Kwaku Yeboah served as the mouthpiece of that organization.

Following expiration of their mandate, a 4-member Normalization Committee led by Dr Kofi Amoah was announced by FIFA to steer the activities of Ghana football for an initial six months.

Their six-month mandate was renewed after it expired in March this year. The other members were Naa Odofoley Nortey, Lucy Quist and Dua Adonteng.

FIFA threatens to ban Ghana

FIFA, in an address to the liaison committee announced its intensions to ban the country from all international activities over what it claimed to be an interference after the government initiated moves in court to liquidate the FA.

FIFA and GoG eventually reached a compromise which prevented the liquidation of the GFA and ban on Ghana

Ghana hosts AWCON

Ghana hosted the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations from November 17 to December 1 in Accra and Cape Coast.

The country failed to make it out of the Group phase as Nigeria won its 11th AWCON title.

Coach Bashir Hayford lost his job after the exit.

Sammy Kuffour replaces Dua Adonteng on NC as Quist takes a bow

The renewal of the mandate of the NC came with a substitution too. Dua Adonteng was taken off for former Ghana international Sammy Osei Kuffour.

Though no official reason was assigned to the change, rumours were that Kofi Amoah recommended his axing from the committee.

Few months later, Lucy Quist also resigned from the committee for ‘personal reasons.

Ayew brothers return for Ghana clash

Andre and Jordan Ayew were recalled into the Black Stars after being left out of some matches, notably the defeat to Kenya.

The two brothers were called up by Kwesi Appiah for the Stars game against Ethiopia. Andre started the game on bench while Jordan scored for Ghana on the day.

Black Maidens excel in World Cup

Against all odds, the Black Maidens impressed at the 2018 World under-17 World Cup in Uruguay.

Skipper Abdulai Mukarama and her mates exited the competition at the quarter final stage.

She won the golden boot award for scoring the highest number of goals at the tournament. She bagged seven goals.

Normalization Special Competition

After months of back and forth, the Special Competition organized by the Normalization Committee kicked off on March 31.

It was in two tiers. Tier One was won by Kotoko and Tier 2 by Ashgold.

Kotoko thus represented Ghana in the 2019/2020 CAF Champions League while Ashgold participated in the Confederations Cup.

Black Stars get new management committee

Ahead of the 2019 AFCON, a new Black Stars management committee chaired by Dr KK Sarpong was inaugurated to handle off-field issues of the team.

Other members of the committee are former, deputy Sports Minister, Perry Okudzeto, former footballer, Ibrahim Sunday, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Madam Abena Osei Asare.

Agogo stroke and death

Former Black Stars striker, Junior Agogo died after a four-year battle with stroke.

Agogo was cremated on September 20. He is mostly remembered for his physique and goals at the 2008 Africa Cup. Asamoah Gyan retirement and u-turn

One of the dramas that preceded Ghana’s participation in the 2019 AFCON was Asamoah Gyan’s retirement after he was stripped off the captaincy.

He however rescinded his decision after a phone conversation with President Akufo-Addo.

Andre Ayew becomes captain

Asamoah Gyan lost the Black Stars captaincy role to Andre Ayew after seven years and under very controversial circumstances.

Ayew’s first assignment was the 2019 AFCON where he led Ghana to a round 16 finish.

2019 AFCON/ Ghana’s 4.5m on AFCON Budget

Ghana’s poor performance at the 2019 AFCON cost the taxpayer $4.5 million according to the Sports Minister. The nation recorded its worst performance at the tournament since 2008 after finishing in the round of 16. Ghana lost 5-4 on penalties to Tunisia.

Kwaku Yeboah resigns from NC

Dan Kwaku Yeboah resigned from his post as spokesperson of the Normalization Committee in a move that he described as ‘jumping from an accident-bound vehicle’.

Kotoko and Ashgold on CAF assignments

Kotoko and Ashgold represented Ghana in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup after winning Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the Special Competition respectively.

Ashgold were kicked out in the first-round whiles Kotoko’s elimination came at the hands of Tunisian side Esperance.

Kotoko were demoted to the Confed Cup and will play Ivorian side San Pedro on Sunday.

Kwesi sacks backroom staff

Black Stars coach, James Kwesi Appiah, has dumped his entire technical team, including his assistant, Ibrahim Tanko, ahead of Ghana's AFCON 2021 qualifying double header against South Africa and Sudan, Daily Graphic reported in September.

Team manager, Stephen Appiah and goalkeepers’ trainer Richard Kingson were also affected in the managerial reshuffle.

Tanko is now head coach of the Black Meteors who have qualified for the 2019 U-23 AFCON.

GFA Congress held

The Extraordinary Congress of the GFA was held on September 5 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The Congress among other things approved a reduction of the delegates of the Elective Congress from 123 to 120.

Vetting Committee disqualifies Palmer

The Vetting Committee announced its decision after interviewing all aspirants in the GFA elections.

CEO of Tema Youth was disqualified from contesting the elections for allegedly breeching some code of ethics of the FA.

Regional FA elections held

The RFA elections were held on Saturday, October 17 in all ten football regions.

Three candidates Yahaya Sadugu of Upper West Region, Salifu Zida of Upper East Region and Ashanti Regions’ Osei Tutu Agyeman retained their seat while the other regions elected new head.

The RFA elections is a preview to the presidential and executive council elections scheduled for Friday, October 25, in Accra.