Ghana and Kwesi Nyantakyi's moment of truth

Published on: 23 February 2011

For Ghana and Kwesi Nyantakyi, the president of the country's FA, the wait is very nearly over.

Nyantakyi - one of the finest Ghanaian football administrators of this or any generation - is set to finally get his crack at Africa's big time.

He faces Anjorin Moucharafou of Benin at Caf elections on Wednesday for the West B slot of the Caf executive committee.

Ghana, the uneasy wearer of one of the less glamorous tag of the nearly-men of African football administration, has been clamouring for a tilt at a major title since 1994 when Sam Okyere last served in the post.

Nyantakyi got Ghana's wish - and will even contest for glory in front of many of countrymen who have travelled to Khartoum to support him.

The man who masterminded Ghana’s first two World Cup appearances is facing the best possible match-up against a formidable candidate from Benin.

Moucharafou will be a hugely-difficult opponent but will not start as favourite.

Issa Hayatou's quest to swing things in the favour of the Benin FA boss through unethical and unorthodox means has come to light with the arrival of most of the candidates in Khartoum by Tuesday night.

The hugely controversial Caf president has been calling up several FA bosses to ask them to vote for Moucharafou - the posterboy for the not-too-popular Hayatou.

Moucharafou has over the years been singing Hayatou's praises via the printing of calendar at his own cost and even wrote a book to hail the Cameroonian's ‘achievements’.

Now it’s time for Hayatou to pay him back and crucially to continue to surround himself with some yes-men for the status-quo to continue.

With the elections taking place in Sudan, a country not far from Egypt where recent popular public uprising led to the departure of another long-serving dictator, Khartoum could be Nyantakyi’s Tahrir Square.

Given the recent successes of Ghana football many of the voters in today's elections see Nyantakyi as the one who could have improve the fortunes of the game in the country.

He has endeared himself to the various African FA bosses with his affability, humility and his work ethic as compared to man who has led Benin into chaos.

Money has been thrown at delegates by Moucharafou's men and with Nyantakyi working on a shoestring budget, the Ghanaian will count on his record and work ethic to land him the coveted seat on Caf.

This ascension to the position will bring Ghana football lots of good - like the many favourable decisions that went Nigeria's way when the disgraced Amos Adamu held a Caf  Executive Committee position.

Nyantakyi needs 27 votes to clinch it and with 24 'promised' votes in the bag, the fear of the vindictive Hayatou means others are not likely to publicly declare their support but will do the right thing.

Football politics is unpredictable - ask Odotei - and Nyantakyi has shown himself to be an astute tactician, adapting style to suit an occasion.

We at Ghanasoccernet.com wish Kwesi Nyantakyi all the best in Wednesday's elections.

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