Frimpong Manso
Former Ghana international Stephen Frimpong Manso has voiced concerns regarding the treatment of Black Stars players during the 1990s.
The ex-Bibiani Gold Stars coach, who played for the Black Stars from 1987 to 1994, shared his experiences in a recent interview with Joy Sports.
Frimpong Manso highlighted the inadequate facilities and poor living conditions players endured during training camps, revealing that these issues were often ignored by the Sports Ministry and other relevant authorities.
Despite the neglect, Frimpong Manso praised former Black Stars coach Burkhard Ziese for his efforts to improve the players' conditions. According to Manso, Ziese's arrival marked a turning point for the team.
“He [Burkhard Ziese] brought in the discipline. There were a lot of things that weren't right at that time. But he came and changed everything. That’s when we started winning. Discipline-wise, it wasn't the best, and he was also fighting for players' welfare,” Frimpong Manso stated.
He recounted instances of poor treatment, such as the disparity in accommodation between the Black Stars and their opponents. “Sometimes, we would be playing against teams like Ivory Coast. They would stay in a five-star hotel while the home team, us, were not treated as well. The conditions in Winneba at that time were not the best. The pitch was poor, and there were issues with the food,” he said.
Frimpong Manso also shared a particular incident involving funds meant for player welfare. “There was a time we went to Obuasi for camping, and somebody gave us some money. It was good money, but the ministry took it to Accra. Ziese was troubled by this. When we moved to Accra, he took us to Labadi Beach Hotel and, unknown to the authorities, used the money to cover our expenses. He then made the person who took the funds from us pay the bill.”
Frimpong Manso’s comments shed light on the challenges faced by the Black Stars during that era and the crucial role Ziese played in addressing these issues.
