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Abedi Pele discusses GFA presidency and possible CAF appointment
The former Black Stars captain spoke to Pulse Sports on a variety of issues including Kwesi Appiah as well as Ghana football in general.
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The former Black Stars captain was in town as a quest to help sportswear firm Decathlon break the world record for most accurate passes in football.
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Spotted in a white-shirt and black shades, the maestro took the first kick as over 700 footballers attempted to put Ghana into the Guinness book of records.
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And although the record-breaking event did not come to fruition, Pulse.com.gh caught up with Abedi Pele as he shared his thoughts on a variety of football-related issues.
The 1982 Africa Cup of Nations winner believes football in the country could be run better if put in the hands of former footballers. According to him, he is looking forward to a day when ex-footballers will helm the affairs of football in Ghana and Africa as a whole.
“Well, if you look at the trend all over the world today, it has been such that ex-footballers are taking over in most countries. What is different with other African countries and especially Ghana [that we can't give e-players the chance]?
“We welcome the policies that are being put in place. It’s not all that bad if the [ex] footballers take over. If you leave boxing for the boxers, and you leave the football for footballers, I mean it only makes sense. It brings a whole lot of sanity into the game. So we are looking forward to that.”
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The three-time African footballer of the year, however, feels that current president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, is doing a great job and must be commended.
The GFA boss earlier this year hinted at resigning from his post when his current tenure ends in 2019, and Abedi Pele believes even if Nyantakyi should leave, there will be enough competent hands to replace him.
“Nyantakyi has done his best. And if he has even had the courage to come out and say that 2019 he is not going to stand, then we all welcome it. But we all still have to wait and see. But what is important is the vacancy.
“If the vacancy is there, Ghana does not lack men; Ghana does not lack intelligent men to stand on this occasion. So I mean we should just wait till that time and we will get somebody to replace him.
“He has been wonderful. Three world cups: that is not an easy thing to do.”
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There had been rumours from certain quarters that Abedi has his eyes set on becoming the next GFA boss, however, the maestro took the time to quash those rumours insisting “I’m not interested”.
The former Ghana captain also had his say on newly elected CAF boss Ahmad Ahmad. Abedi enjoys a particularly close relationship with the Malagasy and backed him to succeed in his new role.
“The new CAF president [Ahmad Ahmad] is somebody I respect very much. He is someone who has been at CAF for so many years. [But] he has come as CAF boss just a few months ago [and] we all hope that he is going to do well.
“And [we hope that] his objectives and dreams are going to be fulfilled. We also hope that those he has confidence in are going to help him to succeed and will do their best.”
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The Ghana legend also confirmed holding talks with the CAF President, but refused to open up on whether he has been offered a role with Africa’s football governing body.
“For me, they haven’t laid anything specifically down for us to do. But what I know is [that] I had a long discussion with him in Morocco and the future looks bright. That is all I can say.”
As a player, Abedi Pele was part of the Black Stars squad that won Ghana’s last Africa Cup of Nations trophy over three decades ago. He was in that side together with current Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah.
And the former Marseille player has backed his compatriot to succeed as Black Stars coach.
“Well, I wish him [Kwesi Appiah] well. Those who have chosen him to be the no.1 [coach] of the country have done a good job. We only pray and wish him well. [He is a] good person.”
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The maestro also spoke about his two sons – Andre and Jordan Ayew – who currently play for West Ham United and Swansea City respectively. While Andre gets playing time at his club, Jordan's case is the contrary.
However, Abedi insists Jordan’s move to Swansea was a good one.
“It has been a good move for him [Jordan]. We don’t look at what is happening behind. We look at what is ahead for us to achieve.
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“Jordan is my son, and we have been having discussions day in day out. So for me this must not be discussed outside. It’s something internally.”
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Abedi Pele spoke to Pulse Sports while attending an event organised by Decathlon to mark the opening of their mega sports shop in Ghana.
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