Abedi Pele wants ex-footballer as next FA president but rules himself out

Ghanaian football legend, Abedi “Pele” Ayew, says he is not interested in becoming the next president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) but will be keen to see a former footballer take over from Kwesi Nyantakyi after 2019.

According to the former Black Stars captain, the new order is for former footballers who are competent and capable to assume the mantle of leadership in the sport and he is strongly in support of that being replicated in Ghana when Mr Nyantakyi’s term ends in 2019.

Mr Nyantakyi in an exclusive interview with the Graphic Sports earlier this month, indicated that he would not contest another term of office as GFA boss when his tenure comes to an end in 2019 and his revelation has already sparked a public discourse on who will replace him.

Former Ghanaian greats such as Tony Baffoe and Abedi, among others, were considered as favourite candidates to fill the void but the former Marseille forward has distanced himself from any move.

Confirming his stance to the Graphic Sports, Abedi a former Executive Committee member under the late Ben Koufie’s tenure, said: “I am not interested in the GFA presidency post. However, I believe there are ex-footballers who are capable of running the affairs of the association when given the chance.




“That is the norm now. At least in most sporting bodies that is what is happening. Athletics is being led by a former international athlete, the Olympic Committee has a president who is a former Olympian. I believe Ghana has to tread that path. Giving the role to someone who has been there before in football will bring sanity as we can see in many parts of the African countries.”

“The administrators have had their turn, and we have seen what they are capable of achieving. Let’s also try former footballers who have groomed themselves for such roles,” Pele, who made an unsuccessful bid to be on the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) explained.

Abedi praised Nyantakyi’s 12-year reign at the helm of the GFA, saying he will always be remembered for qualifying the Black Stars to their first ever FIFA World Cup and consistently appearing in the next two editions.

Source:Ghanasoccernet