Elmina Sharks owner and business magnate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, has expressed his frustration over the challenges of running the club, revealing that he is considering stepping away from football management.
Nduom, who owns the Division One League side, stated that the difficulties associated with managing the club outweigh any benefits, making it no longer worthwhile.
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“I am considering whether to even continue having this team as part of the league. It isn’t worth it. I don’t do it for money. I don’t do it for anything else. We do it for opportunities,” Nduom said in an interview with GTV Sports+.
His comments come in the wake of a recent controversy involving Elmina Sharks, whose players and officials allegedly attacked referee Eso Doh Morrison during their Division One League match against Swedru All Blacks on Sunday, February 16. The incident occurred after the referee awarded a penalty, which led to Sharks losing 1-0.
Despite the troubling incident, Nduom denied responsibility for his club’s conduct but lamented the state of Ghanaian football and the treatment of club owners who invest in the game.
Allegations of conflict of interest in GFA leadership
Beyond his club’s struggles, Nduom also took aim at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), accusing its leadership of having a conflict of interest that undermines the integrity of the league.
“The people who run the league, there is a conflict of interest,” he stated. “Why should an owner of a team be President of the GFA? Why should an owner of a team be a vice-president of the GFA? We can’t sack them because people’s hands are in their mouth.”
His criticism adds to the ongoing debate over governance issues within Ghanaian football, particularly regarding the impartiality of league administrators.
Hooliganism concerns in Ghanaian football
Nduom’s comments also come against the backdrop of increasing violence in local football. Less than three weeks before the Sharks’ incident, Asante Kotoko supporter Francis Frimpong, popularly known as “Pooley,” was stabbed to death during a Premier League match against Nsoatreman FC. His one-week memorial had just been observed when the Elmina Sharks violence took place.
“Isn’t it a consequence of what has been happening in the country? If you let people misbehave from Premier, Division One, Division Two, what do you expect? If I was not at the stadium, what do you think would have happened?” Nduom questioned.
Meanwhile, Sharks’ player Jay Asamoah has been charged with breaching Section 13 (1) (k) of the GFA’s Disciplinary Code for allegedly assaulting referee Eso Doh Morrison. The GFA is expected to take disciplinary action as investigations continue into the incident.
