Black Stars Failure Due To Influence Of Call-Ups From High Profile Officials – Ex-Sports Minister Mallam Issah
Mallam Issah, a former Minister of Youth and Sports under the erstwhile President Kuffuor Government has given a damning verdict on the woes of the Black Stars and their inability to win the Africa Cup of Nations title for almost forty years.
The Black Stars have been unsuccessful since 1982 in their quest to annex the continent’s most prestigious tournament. Several attempts have proved futile with the best attempts in 2010 and 2015 in recent times.
Whereas some blame the inability of the team on quality and dedicated players, the former sports minister belongs to the school of taught that selection to the team has always been influenced by high personalities who matter.
“We are not speaking the truth to ourselves, some of us (high profile personalities) will have this influence that I want this, my player, to go to the AFCON for exposure and will go to every extent to make sure their wish is fulfilled.” ……. “most of the time I will receive a call from high profile persons saying this is my son kindly help him to get into the team for me, sometimes it is not even the coach’s selection but due to the fact the coach wants to keep his job he does not speak the truth of the influence from outside,” the former minister said in a phone interview on a Kumasi-based Radio station.
The position of the former minister has been one held by many football enthusiasts as the number one cause of the inability to break the jinx since 1982 in Libya.
The Blacks Stars will try another shot at glory in Cameroon next year for the tournament.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo’s Government is budgeting a huge $25m for the 2022 Afcon and the Qatar 2002 World Cup qualifiers.