By Ken Bediako
Football addict Yaw Ampofo-Manu will weep in his grave for the sad events surrounding Nsoatreman FC. For starters the late Ampofo Manu was a proud son of the then Brong Ahafo region and native of Nsoatre, who dedicated his life to the development of football in BA (for short).
A professional cinematographer Ampofo Manu was a founding member of the National League Clubs Association(NLCA) in the early sixties. He was a long serving Treasurer of the NLCA through its transformation to Organisation of Ghana, League Clubs Association (OGLCA). We now have GHANA LEAGUE CLUBS ASSOCIATION (GHALCA). I recall the good pioneering work of Ampofo-Manu alongside stalwarts like Budu Acquah, Zac Bentum, Professor Mawuse Dake and Co. Succeeding generations of Nana Abrah Appiah, Alhaji Jawula, Kojo Quarshie, Nana Brew Butler, Prof Kofi Kumado, Alhaji Grunsah, Major Yaw Larson, Antwi Gyamfi, Nana Brew Butler. J. Y. Appiah, Kudjoe Fianoo, I.K Edusei and the others all deserve mention when the history of GHALCA is told.
My current focus is on Nsoatre born Yaw Ampofo Manu the proud son of BA who contributed a lot to make B.A United FC so strong that earned them the appellation, “Apostles of Power Soccer.”
Those were the days of Agyeman Gyau, Atta Kwame, Adasi Fofie, Barnier Snr, Barnier Jnr and Co.
Even though BA United continued to put the region into the limelight it was the innermost wish of Ampofo Manu another good team could emerge specifically in his home town Nsoatre. Unfortunately, Yaw did not live long enough to see his dream come true.
As one of his close friends I was really excited that a Premier League emerged a few years after his demise.
I recall writing a message of congratulation to the team for honouring the memory of Ampofo Manu. I told them Yaw would be happy in his grave. In fact, for sentimental reasons I have been following the progress of the club all this while. You can imagine my excitement when Yaw Preko was appointed coach. I have known Yaw since his boyhood playing days with La Danso’s Kotobabi Powerlines Colts team and I love to follow his progress as a coach.
In sum I am an avid fan of Nsoatreman FC admittedly for sentimental reasons just like Abuakwa Susu Biribi because the name was Abusco’s Motto.
It is for this reason why I am really appalled at the rowdy scenes that characterised Nsoatreman’s league match against Asante Kotoko at Nsoatre on Sunday.
I followed the live radio commentary on Peace FM. By the minute by minute account it was all crazy at Nsoatre. Apparently indecisive refereeing might have played a major part in the whole charade.
From the live account the referee originally showed two red cards each to both Kotoko and Nsoatreman.
He then changed his mind and reduced the Nsoatre culprit to one meaning ten Nsoatreman players against Kotoko’s nine. The radio commentator then told us Kotoko had another red card thus the Porcupines had eight players. This will likely go into Guinness Book of records.
Eventually Nsoatreman got the winning goal.
Video clips after the match showed a free for all fight and subsequent stabbing to death a well-known Kotoko supporter.
As a rule, I bought the Monday edition of my favourite Daily Graphic to ascertain in print the dramatic Nsoatre event.
The headline for the back page story with no by line was NSOATREMAN FC END ASANTE KOTOKO’S UNBEATEN RECORD.
The relevant part of the report said and I quote “However the game did not end without incident as it was marked by red card controversies and fan disruptions which resulted in a crucial Nsoatreman goal. Kotoko’s unbeaten strait was halted causing them to drop from the summit of the league table.” End of quote.
With deep respect I don’t think the report does any favour to anyone who buys the paper to find out what happened on the pitch. The video clips definitely depict a nasty scene of free for all fighting which needs to draw the attention of the Ghana Football Association.
At the time of writing both Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman had announced their withdrawal from the League. I can’t just imagine the implications of this action. All I can do now is to weep for Ghana football.
A friend has asked me to stop weeping. He argument is if honourable MPs in a cosy air-conditioned environment openly misbehave the ordinary citizen watching football in the scorching sun should be left alone. Is this a fair bargain? Your answer is as good as mine. We must not give the impression we are currently in a Banana Republic.
Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.
