Nyantakyi should accept his mistakes and pray for forgiveness – Songo

Popular Sports Journalist, Patrick Osei Agyemang, affectionately called Countryman Songo has advised embattled former Ghana FA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi not to waste his time fighting with FIFA following his lifetime ban from all football-related activities.

Speaking to the Sports Editor of Ghanaweb.com, Daniel Oduro, on Sports Check, the avowed critic of the then Kwesi Nyantakyi-led GFA administration said it would be better for the former CAF Vice President to seek forgiveness from his maker and not destroy the little dignity he has left fighting a battle he can never win.

“Nyantakyi has the right to appeal the decision if he feels it is harsh but I think he will be wasting his time. This is the time for him to sit then, look back and reflect. It is the time to look for your God and ask for forgiveness. In all things, one must look for God and now he needs to let God know that he made a mistake. I mean what are you fighting for? FIFA took a lot of time to do the investigations and they know what they saw. There is no way back for him. He is not coming back into football again. Now is the time to do right by the people he has wronged”, Songo said.

On Tuesday, October 30, FIFA banned Kwesi Nyantakyi from taking part in all football-related activities with immediate effect.

The life ban follows extensive investigations by FIFA's Adjudicatory Chamber of the Independent Ethics Committee into the conduct of Mr Nyantakyi who was captured in an explosive expose by Ghanaian investigator Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The adjudicatory chamber found Mr Nyantakyi guilty of having violated Article 19 (conflict of interest), Article 21 (Bribery and corruption) and Article 22 (Commission) of the FIFA Code of Ethics, 2012 edition.

Mr Nyantakyi has additionally been fined 500,000 Swiss Francs (over GHS 2.4million).

The ban brought to a sad end the glittering career of the man considered as the most successful GFA President in the history of Ghana football.

Nyantakyi reigned as GFA President for 13 years and helped Ghana's Black Stars to qualify for three successive FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014). Nyantakyi rose through the ranks to become the Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). He was highly tipped to take over from current CAF President Ahmad Ahmad in the near future.

Kwesi Nyantakyi was initially suspended on June 8 for 90 days by the adjudicatory chamber of Fifa's independent Ethics Committee. The ban was later extended for an additional 45 days on September 6.

Why did FIFA ban Nyantakyi?
He was filmed in an undercover investigation by controversial Ghanaian journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas taking $65,000 (£48,000) from an undercover reporter pretending to be a businessman.

Soon after the ban on 8 June Nyantakyi resigned from the posts he had held with football's world governing body, Fifa, and the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

He left his role on the Fifa Council and stepped aside from his roles with Caf including as 1st vice-president, the most senior figure at the confederation after its president, Ahmad.

As well as the Fifa suspension Nyantakyi also resigned as president of the GFA on 8 June following an executive committee meeting. Nyantakyi has always denied any wrongdoing.