Kurt Okraku, the big chief at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has raised his voice against a troubling trend in the football-loving nation of Ghana: fans jeering at their own players.
He’s laid it out plain and simple: booing players who don the national jersey just isn’t the Ghanaian way. His plea comes hot on the heels of an incident in which fans gave striker Mukarama Abdulai a hard time during the Black Princesses’ win against Tanzania at the 2023 African Games.
Okraku hasn’t forgotten the past either, mentioning how left-back Abdul Baba Rahman felt the fans’ displeasure during a face-off with the Central African Republic in an AFCON qualifier match last year.
Taking to Facebook, the GFA head expressed his concerns: “This must stop! We are a football loving country. A country that traditionally supports and loves our players in good times and in bad times. Ghana is not a football country that is hostile to its players.”
He pointed out a worrying shift in the stands: “However in recent times, a bad culture seem to be gaining grounds where a few of our fans boo our national players. I mean players who volunteer to represent our country. This is NOT Ghana and this culture has to be rejected.”
Highlighting recent instances of this unwelcome trend, Okraku mentioned, “In recent times, some of our players including Abdul Baba Rahman and from yesterday’s game in Cape Coast, striker Mukarama Abdulai (Black Princesses) have been booed by some few Ghanaian football fans.”
His message to the nation was clear: “My appeal is that let’s stay together as Ghanaians at all times and let’s support our players in good times and in bad times. This is NOT a good habit!”
As the calendar ticks closer to March 22, anticipation skyrockets for Ghana’s showdown against their long-standing rivals, Nigeria, in what’s poised to be an electrifying friendly match set against the picturesque backdrop of Marrakesh, Morocco. This encounter, more than just a game, is a testament to the rich footballing heritage and rivalry between these two powerhouses of African football. Amidst this vibrant atmosphere, Kurt Okraku’s message resounds even louder, urging the Ghanaian faithful to rally behind their team with unwavering support and positivity, showcasing to the world the true spirit of Ghanaian unity and passion for football.
