Charles Taylor, a former forward for Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, has voiced his displeasure with remarks made by Nana Oduro Sarfo, a member of the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council.
Oduro Sarfo addressed Stephen Appiah, a former Black Stars captain, who encouraged the GFA to include former players in the day-to-day management of Ghana Football. Oduro Safo counselled the former Juventus player to pursue additional schooling in order to be qualified to hold such roles in the GFA.
“If Stephen Appiah wants to play a key role or wants to lead the GFA, he needs to have better academic knowledge and certificates,” Oduro Sarfo told Onua FM.
In response to the comments by Oduro Sarfo, Charles Taylor was disappointed, terming it as a senseless submission. He said Oduro and his ilks should use their common sense to effect a drastic change in Ghana football because, despite their academic qualifications, they have done nothing for Ghana football.
“At the GFA, I believe Oduro Sarfo ranks first among those who speak before thinking. He speaks before realizing what he has said is inappropriate. If you wish to tie school [education] into what Stephen said, then they [GFA] have failed miserably. Because, despite their schooling, they are not achieving anything at the FA.
“I would also urge them to learn some common sense to improve Ghana Football, as it worked for previous leaders who had little education but common sense. Just look at the state of Ghana football. Do you think we can run football through education? Taylor told Angel TV.
The foregoing is hinged on a statement Stephen Appiah made in an interview with Sompa Sports. According to the former skipper of the Black Stars, he bought plane tickets and paid winning bonuses for the Black Stars.
The former Juventus player admitted that he once gave winning bonuses to teammates after games. He said he was compelled to do this as he was anxious to help the Black Stars recover their competitive status but has been hesitant for unclear reasons.
“One thing that is painful is that some of us are very humble. But when you know your value, you don’t want to do certain things or mingle with certain people. We all want to help because we have helped before even if it wasn’t enough,” he said during the sports programme on the aforementioned radio station.
“There was a time everybody(players) had no interest in playing for Black Stars. There was a time I had to pay for players’ plane tickets to Ghana and there was a time I paid winning bonuses,” he added.
The 42-year-old, who is not impressed with how the team is run currently, implied that he regrets spending his money on the team, but hopes things will get better.
“So today if I see how things are been done, I ask myself why did I waste my money? But we hope that one day it will be well,” he said sadly.
