Former player of Asante Kotoko Daniel Nii Adjei has bemoaned the high level of pettiness being exhibited by some clubs administrators as well as supporters in the Ghana Premier League towards players with ‘advanced “ages.
In an interview with Esther Abankwa on Angel TV’s Saturday morning sports show, he revealed that the Management of Asante Kotoko were reluctant to renew his contract with the club after six successful seasons with the team in 2012 over the pretext that he was too old.
However, after leaving Asante Kotoko, he played over five seasons with TP Mazembe and Wydad and won two CAF Champions league titles as well as two CAF Confederations titles.
“In Ghana, once you play a team for five years, they begin to retire you with the mantra of you are too old. They did that to me at Kotoko, after six years with the team, they said I was old. But I went to Congo, played for active five years and won CAF titles.
”In African club competitions, clubs like TP Mazembe, Wydad, Al Ahly and others all have matured and experienced players who usually guide the youngsters in the team, to help get the desired results, but they are not tagged as old players who need to leave the team at all cost.
”However, in Ghana, its different, just after few seasons, they would demand your exit.
They are not patient enough for players to develop effectively, and this makes the teams lose monies and underdeveloped.” Adjei bemoned.
He pleaded with football fans and administrators to exercise restraints in such regards but rather allow players to adopt and develop the teamwork for the growth of the league. He cited the impact that the likes of Gladson Awako, Sulley Muntari and Samuel Nkoom are currently doing in the league.
Daniel Nii Adjei played for Asante Kotoko from 2006 to 2012. He won three Ghana Premier League titles with the team. He was adjudged the best player of the league on the 2011/2012 season.
