Abedi Pele for FA Chair…Herbert Mensah too?

Once considered impregnable, bankroller of Premier league side Wa All Stars, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi’s continuous stay as FA boss after 2015 is under threat as fresh indications are that football legend, Abedi Ayew Pele, and business magnate and President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, Hebert Amponsah Mensah, are reported lacing their boots to contest for the position of President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Whiles all attention on who challenges Mr. Nyantakyi in next year’s FA president contest has so far focused on President of Kpando Hearts of Lion, Randy Abbey, information reaching The Al-Hajj indicates that, despite the GFA President’s insistence that no one is ‘ripe’ for the coveted post, the two Ghanaian illustrious football administrators, “maestro” as the former Ghanaian captain is known, and Herbert Mensah are less perturbed according to our sources close to the duo.

Despite Kwesi Nyantakyi’s rich track record of qualifying Ghana for its first world cup final tourney in 2006 and subsequent participation at world stage, the pair are said to have been emboldened in their quest to replace the FA President following his abysmal handling of the Ghana Black Stars participation at the just ended world cup in Brazil which saw the ignominious exit of the team for the first time at the group stages.

Although Mr Nyantakyi has led Ghana to two successful World cup campaigns, Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010, recent public resentment about his leadership style, particularly his handling of the nation’s participation of the just ended world cup and the virtual collapse of the domestic league has been questioned.

This has recently led to rumors the Kpando Hearts of Lions CEO and former FA spokesperson, Randy Abbey is seeking to unseat his former boss, a claim he has refuted.

The poor campaign at this year’s world tourney and alleged misappropriation of funds has necessitated the setting of a three member committee headed by a Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Dzamefe, to investigate the allegations.

Mr Nyantakyi’s accusers chided him for paying too much attention to the senior nation soccer team to the neglect of the other national teams, particularly women and youth football.

It is against this backdrop, the Nania FC bankroller, and the former Kumasi Asante Kotoko Chief Executive, are said to be knocking on the doors of respected football administrators for their support in order to snatch the post from Nyantakyi.

Considering the international exposure and managerial prowess of both Abedi Pele and Herbert Mensah especially, in the area of football, pundits are promising keen but exciting race for the FA presidency when nominations open.

Aside Herbert Mensah, both the three times best African Footballer of the year, and Randy Abbey held sensitive positions at the FA.

Abedi Pele, who is father of the Ayew brothers, Dede and Jordan served as vice chairman of the FA in the early 2000s while Randy for a long period served as spokesperson for the Football Association and later became head of the Referees Appointment Committee.

On the other hand, Herbert Mensah is touted as among foremost football administrators to transform Kumasi Asante Kotoko during his days as Chief Executive.

Mr Nyantaky’s potential contenders are said to be banking hopes on their wealth of experience in football administration and international affiliations to rebrand the nation’s football in the event they ditch the current occupant of the seat.

However, sources close to the FA boss say he is unshaken by the stiff battle being waged by his contenders, as “his good works over the years will let him retain the post for the third time uninterrupted.”