Only Discipline Can Save Nation's Soccer

Mr Ben Koufie, chairman of the Ghana Football Association, has said Ghana football can only be redeemed and lifted to the dizzy heights it attained in the past if discipline is instilled in all stakeholders.

Speaking to the GNA in an exclusive interview at the 26 March Stadium in Bamako at the 23rd edition of the African Cup of Nations, Mr Koufie said players can only achieve their full potentials if they subject themselves to strict discipline, on and off the field.


He said football administrators must also operate under an umbrella of truth and adhere to the rules and conventions of fairness in order to influence their players to behave properly.


The GFA chairman said in order to rescue Ghana football there must be total commitment on the part of players and the only way to achieve this is to tell them the truth when they err and subject them to a penalty commensurate with their misconduct.


Mr Koufie advised Ghanaians to stop unnecessary praise singing, which in his opinion, make some players think that they are super stars and therefore above the rules and regulations of their administrators.


On the performance of the Black Stars in their match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in which they lost by a lone goal scored by Garba Lawal in the 81st minute, the chairman said the boys did not disgrace the country even though they lost.

He said they played well in the first half but failed to lift up their game in the second half as they lost their composure and allowed the Nigerians to steal the show from them.


Mr Koufie said the team has promise and would be retained and groomed for future assignments. He was particularly happy about the formidable partnership between Kofi Amponsah and John Mensah in the central defence and said with time they could carry the


fortunes of Ghana soccer on their shoulders.


The GFA chairman tactfully evaded a question on whether the technical team of the Black Stars would be changed when he said the FA has not taken any decision on the issue, but added that Osam Duodu was put in charge to prosecute the championship in Mali.


Abedi Pele, former captain of the Black Stars and a member of the GFA management committee was also full of praise for the team.

He said in the first half they matched the Nigerians in combat and possession but failed to sustain the momentum in the second half.


Pele said the team would blossom in the not too distant future and bring the smiles back on the faces of Ghanaians.


?The Ghanaian team is a very good one. They are young and anxious to play football. They gave us a very tough game and it was sheer experience which won the day for us.? That was how Stephen Keshie, the assistant coach of the Eagles summarized the match.


His boss, Amodu Shaibu agreed with Keshie's views when he described the Ghanaian team as a bunch of talented players who gave his side a scare.