A Premier League in Crisis II

What a difference seven days makes in Association Football especially in a developing country such as Ghana! I've said this for so many reason some o I feel compelled to tell you about. It makes me wonder if ever, when ever will we really learn what Association Football is all about and especially how to manage, market and promote the game.

I was shocked by the revelation by Idrissu Yahaya of New Edubiase FC who collapsed immediately after featuring for his club in a Ghana Premier League encounter just two weeks ago. By his own account his club did not have a club Doctor to assess his level of fitness ad so after taking an injection to defray the symptoms of malaria he was encouraged to play by the management of the Club.

Speaking from his hospital bed he declared "I almost died!"

I am wondering if the deaths we have had on the pitch so far at every level of our football is not enough for the Ghana Football Association to put their foot down. How long will clubs get away with not having the appropriate qualified medical staff on the bunch and on standby for league matches. And what has happened to the much touted "Club Licensing" system which the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has insisted should be in place by the end of the year?

Just last week the coach of Bechem United FC; Miloslav Bogdanovic packed his bags and walked straight into the open arms of another Ghana Premier League club, namely Aduana Stars FC. And just as you began to wonder that there should be some form of legal redress open to Bechem United FC to pursue because of a breach of contract coach Bogdanovic turns round to declare that he did not have a contract doth the club and that despite attempts to obtain one the club officials were equally reticent in making one available!

So no legal claims available there for Bechem Umited FC I dare to say, what an extraordinary case.

And if that was not enough the debacle between the owner of Accra Hearts of Oak FC and coach David Duncan took on a new dimension as Duncan was abruptly sacked by the owner Togbe Afedze XIV just a few days before their fixture against Amidaus FC in Tema. The supporters of the club were left bemused, frustrated and very angry.

They stormed the Secretariat of the club and forced the planned Press Conference to be abandoned by the Managing Director, Neil Armstrong Mortagbe an demanded the reinstatement of coach Duncan! The owner of the club Togbe Afedze XIV was no where to be seen, but there was no doubt in anyone's mind that this was a colossal error destined only to hamper the fortunes of the club as they pursue a fleeting Premier League title.

Unofficially it has been rumored that the supporters have been able to secure a pledgefrom Duncan to return to the club and the Management Committee are set to rescind their decision, but it is unlikely to heal the rift between the owner of the club and the coach!

And as if they don't have enough on their plate the possibility of their home ground being closed down for future Accra Hearts of Oak FC matches is looming over their head following the disturbances that took place last weekend after they failed to secure a victory against Kumasi based King Faisal FC.

And to top it all in a communique to the clubs in Division One the Ghana Football Association had this to say; "The Ghana Football Association wishes to inform all Division One Clubs that the commencement of the 2013/2014 Division One League has been postponed indefinitely. "A new date would be communicated to the Clubs and Stakeholders in due course," said a GFA statement on Friday.

Now excuse me to say but how pathetic is that?

I could go on and on and in fact I will. Because while the Ghana Football Association is struggling for a sponsor to bridge the gap between having a properly resourced league or managing a farce this season the Ghana Football Association are cashing in on sponsorship for the Ghana Black Stars, in lieu of their qualification to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

The Uni-Bank are now the official bankers of the Ghana Black Stars having coughed up a staggering $1.2 million dollars. This new agreement will give uniBank the exclusive right as official bank of the senior national men’s team, branding their products with the Black Stars to their customers and the team’s followers and offer special packages to members of the team.

Well at least in the midst of the crisis they are getting one thing right!