...to invest in colts and training facilities
Ex Black Stars skipper Adolf Armah has advised the Ghana Football Association to support juvenile players and their trainers.
The man who led Ghana to qualify for the 1982 African Cup of Nations in Libya, but was not part of the tournament because he was playing professional and his club would not release him said he feels sad for Ghana Football because the standards that they set as players has fallen and the current generation are not playing any attractive football because now everybody wants to play, because of the financial gains.
According to Armah who was voted the second best footballer in Africa by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1979, Ghana Football is down because everybody is talking about the English Premiership, La Liga, Bundesliga or the Spain game.
He said it is time for the Ghana Sports media or journalists to promote the Ghanaian game and make it attractive.
Adolf Armah who has been in the United State of America for some years noted that the grass roots of Ghana Football is very weak and called on the GFA to support the Colts game and make sure there are very good trainers who would have time to nurture the young players into great talents.
He observed that because the nation has been qualifying for the last three World Cups, everybody thinks things are alright, but to him things would be better if there are good fields that the young boys will train on.
“We have to do more because our colts is dying slowly, and that is where we can get the best raw talents and groom them to become world stars. All the top players like Asamoah Gyan played at the colts, so it is a good beginning for our players” he said.
He was sad that Ghana is no longer winning the World Under 17 and wanted to know why, however he praised the national youth team and coach Sellas Tetteh for winning the FIFA Youth Championship in 2009 and placing third in 2013.
“Some of us are ever ready to help the nation, but I do not know why we are not called to offer our small support or advise. I am in the USA and I can do something for my nation. In fact, I was sad that the USA beat Ghana and we have many lessons to learn for that defeat. When we drew with Germany was another lesson and the game against Portugal with the world best player, C Ronaldo was also an avenue to to show the world our brand of football, any way: he added.
He said the truth must prevail in Ghana Football and those who deserve the right positions must be made to work. He advised that it is time for Ghanaians to lead or coach the Black Stars, so Ghanaian football trainers must be abreast with modern trends of coaching and have much information, about international football.
Adolf Armah played for Accra Hearts of Oak and was a member of the 1977 and 1979 squads that caused sensation in Ghana and Africa. In 1979, he was named second best Africa Footballer of the Year. In 1981, he captained the Black Stars to beat Zaire to take Ghana to Libya ’82, which he could not participate, however he was a leading star in 1978 when Ghana won the African Cup for keeps, sharing the midfield position with Addae Kyenkyenhene when he comes to defensive play.
Adolf Armah was nicknamed the Midfield Marshall for his dribbling and passing abilities. He was the most creative footballer in his time at the Black Stars and most football experts feel there has never been a player like him ever since he retired.
He played in Ghana, Cote d’Voire, Gabon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and trained in England with Wimbledon.
Adolf Armah is a certified coach and was a founding member of the Mamprobi Rising Stars. He also trained Silver Stars, a Division Two side and Accra Hearts of Oak for some time before moving to the USA.
