24 hours after being knocked out of the World Cup here in Brazil, the name Ghana continues to court the headlines. The country’s colourful Minister of Youth and Sports Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has been asked to step down with immediate effect by President Mahama.
The removal of the sports Minister is the latest in a string of unprecedented incidents that dogged Ghana’s disastrous World Cup campaign culminating in a first round exit.
A series of events unfolded with a newspaper publication and secret video recording of an alleged deal between Ghana’s FA President and match fixers. A claim that has been vehemently denied with legal processes against the Daily Telegraph and partners already underway.
This was followed almost immediately with the threat of a boycott by players over unpaid appearance fees. It took the intervention of President Mahama to calm players emotions followed by the dispatch of a plane from West Africa to South America with 3 million US dollars.
That same night, two of the most influential players in the team, Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Ali Muntari were sacked by Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah in Brasilia. Muntari for violent conduct and assault on a team official and Boateng for causing unrest in camp and confrontations with the coach during training and in the dressing room.
The two former AC Milan team mates left camp just hours before the crucial World Cup match against Portugal which Ghana lost 2-1.
The two former AC Milan team mates left camp just hours before the crucial World Cup match against Portugal which Ghana lost 2-1.
The Sports Minister has come under severe criticism back home following reports that scores of Ghanaian supporters chartered to Brazil for the World Cup were stranded. It has opened up a can of worms with travel and touroperators pointing the accusing finger at government.
Nobody can quite predict what will happen next in the unfolding drama that has gripped the World Cup especially when it comes to African teams. With this latest news, Ghana has merely shifted venue from Brazil to their own backyard but what is certain is that there could be more intriguing episodes ahead in thisfootball soap opera.
From Supersport reporter Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah in Rio
source: ameyawdebrah.com
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