Yussif Alhassan Chibsah, a former Asante Kotoko and Black Stars midfielder, recently spoke with Nana Oduro Sarfo, a member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council (EXCO), about the importance of academic credentials in football administration.
Chibsah emphasized that academic credentials are not the sole determining factor in football administration, stating that if they were, the EXCO’s only Ph.D. holder, Dr. Randy Abbey, would have been made the GFA President.
“If Oduro Sarfo thinks football is about academic certificates, Dr. Randy Abbey is the only person on the Executive Council with A PhD so he should be made the GFA President,” he told Angel Sports
Chibsah’s comments were prompted by Sarfo’s advice to former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah, whom Sarfo advised to acquire academic certificates if he desires a position in GFA administration.
Appiah had expressed frustration with the sidelining of ex-footballers in football administration, arguing that they are well-suited for the role.
Sarfo countered by pointing to Samuel Eto’o, who became the president of Cameroon’s FA after joining affiliated associations and improving his academic credentials.
Sarfo suggested that Appiah should pursue similar avenues if he desires a leadership position in the GFA.
“Samuel Eto’o is the FA president for Cameroon. He needed to go to school so he could better himself academically. He joined associations affiliated with their FA before making plans to contest,” Sarfo said.
“If Stephen Appiah wants to play a key role or wants to lead the GFA, he needs to have better academic knowledge and certificates.”
