The Africa Cup drama surrounding Ati-Zigi was just the beginning: Ghanaian football descends into chaos

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

It was the 93rd minute of the final group match in Group B between Ghana and Mozambique when Richard Ofori, Lawrence Ati-Zigi’s rival in Ghana’s goal, came up with the idea that a ball that would have rolled out of bounds anyway was completely unnecessary used to be. to touch. Atlético defender Reinildo Mandava (30) heads the subsequent corner into the goal to make the score 2-2, Ghana is finally eliminated. The elimination from this year’s Africa Cup of Nations also marked the start of violent protests – against players, coaches and the association.

That same evening, the fury of Ghanaian journalists was unleashed in the catacombs of the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé in the Ivorian economic metropolis of Abidjan. They demand explanations for the poor performance of the African Cup of Nations.

The Ghanaian league is sinking into nothing

Led by a handful of Ghanaian journalists, there is increasing resistance against the leadership of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). This ultimately culminates in a demonstration in the Ghanaian capital Accra on Wednesday. Several thousand people take to the streets to express their opinions to those in power in front of the Ministry of Sports and hand them a petition to save the Ghana Football Association. In 15 points, the demonstrators demand, among other things, the development of a national football strategy, the construction of a national training complex and an investigation into the flow of money to the GFA in recent years.

Because the money issue is a major source of contention in the country on the Gulf of Guinea. There have been repeated complaints behind closed doors that players are only called up to the (U) national teams if money flows. Another point of criticism: the association and its officials have put money in their own pockets, like those of FIFA or the African Football Association CAF, for tournament participation.

This has not been proven. The fact is, however, that the infrastructure in particular leaves much to be desired. Many stadiums of Ghanaian Premier League clubs are aging, the grass is brown, the stands – if they are there at all – are dilapidated. The highest competition in the country is no longer important, demonstrator David angrily confirms: “I am actually a supporter of the Hearts of Oak, but this competition is nothing to be happy about anymore. Football is getting worse and worse and those who pocket the money are partly to blame.”

Could Ati-Zigi have prevented the protests in goal?

For others, the protests against Ghanaian football are just a symbol of the situation in the country. “This protest doesn’t actually achieve anything. Once we have solved the problem with the BVO, the next one follows. For example in healthcare, in the field of education or unemployment. There is a shortage in all corners of the country,” says Ralph, who is present at all kinds of demonstrations against the government. There is little hope that the elections next fall will bring changes.

Because dozens of police officers in full gear blocked the road, the demonstration on Wednesday ultimately did not reach the Ministry of Sports and ended a few hundred meters further in front of the Independence Arch, one of the landmarks of the Ghanaian capital. There the petition is ultimately transferred to some representatives of parliament. The question is whether much will change. It is likely that those responsible within the association and also in Parliament are increasingly feeling the unpleasant pressure from the public.

It is quite possible that they could have prevented this (temporarily) if they had chosen a regular goalkeeper from a certain Eastern Swiss football club in goal at the Africa Cup and not the bench warmer from the South African competition. Because without Richard Ofori’s serious mistake and the subsequent elimination in the group stage, the problems would probably have been swept under the carpet again.

Source : Blick