A strong local league is the answer - CK

Accra, Feb. 13, GNA - Charles Akunnor, former skipper of the Black Stars says a strong domestic league is the panacea for Ghana's apparent "quality-player" crisis.

He said there was the need for clubs, especially those owned by one-man businessmen to be managed along professional lines so as to attract corporate sponsorship as a sure way of curbing player exodus. The player said corporate sponsorship would inject more money into the clubs and make the league very attractive and competitive, "once the boys are well-paid, they won't accept just anything to play in a foreign land."


Akunnor, who now plays for A. C. Horsens, a first division club in Denmark told the GNA Sports in Accra that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has to enforce its laws particularly the one requiring clubs to submit their statement of accounts before the commencement of the soccer season, to keep them on their toes.


He said it was sad that the absence of three players, Michael Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari and Asamoah Gyan could disorganise the Black Stars to the extent that "we were humbled by a country like Zimbabwe."


The former Fortuna Cologne and Wolsfberg player said, "we need to have a pool of talented and quality players who could be called upon at any time to defend the national colours."

He called on the GFA to take a second look at the philosophy on player selection and make it in such a way that only the best would be fit to wear the national jersey.


Akunnor suggested that the "player-selection net" should be expanded to embrace good ex-national stars and the present talents in order to assemble the best for Ghana.


"After all, Sam Johnson, Yaw Preko, Otto Addo and few other guys are still playing well, why can't the coach invite them to assess their play," he quizzed.