Seasoned Sports Journalist, Jerome Otchere, has criticized both the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Laryea Kingston for their mishandling of the latter’s departure following the team’s loss to Burkina Faso in the semifinals of the ongoing WAFU Zone B U17 Championship.
It’s over!
Burkina Faso have kicked us out!
FT: Ghana 1-2 Burkina Faso#QAFCONU17 #BringBackTheLove pic.twitter.com/mX82bl8Ml4— Ghana Men National Teams (@GhanaMNT) May 25, 2024
Kingston resigned after the game, expressing his dissatisfaction at the turn of events since taking charge of the Black Starlets.
Press Statement: RE – Laryea Kingston https://t.co/72CqbcjADy
— 🇬🇭 Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) May 26, 2024
In response to Kingston’s resignation, the GFA issued a statement condemning his behaviour and accusing him of misconduct.
In an exclusive interview with Citi Sports, Jerome Otchere described the actions of both parties as unprofessional.
He highlighted Kingston’s temperament and criticized the GFA’s response as an emotional reaction, suggesting that neither side handled the situation appropriately.
I think that we have to respect Laryea’s decision, but it is not a decision some of us like, many of the fans i have heard on this issue also don’t like it.
I’m particularly concerned about the mood of his exit, i don’t like he carried it out well even if he had decided long ago based on the interview he granted.
I think he could have conducted his departure in a more descent manner than how i have seen it.
I have read a correspondence from the FA on his resignation and it is as bad as Laryea’s decision to quit and the mood and the style he chose to do it.
I am saying that off the FA is bad in the sense that much as they can’t do anything in bringing Laryea back, they [GFA] could have just taken one or two lines in accepting Laryea’s resignation and keeping the focus on the rest of the team’s work in the competition, then afterwards address the issue properly.
For me it was more like an emotional reaction to Laryea’s conduct which they find unacceptable and for an organisation, i don’t think it speaks well of them [Ghana Football Association].
I don’t know exactly what the problems are, he has said that he will come out and speak about the issue later, but clearly certain things have not gone well between him [Laryea Kingston] and the Ghana Football Association.
Ghana’s Black Starlets will not participate in next year’s AFCON after losing again to Burkina Faso in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B U17 AFCON on Saturday.
For the second time, the Black Starlets have been defeated by Burkina Faso in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B U17 Qualifiers.
The previous encounter also ended in a 1-0 loss, held at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
Following this recent defeat, tensions have escalated between Laryea Kingston and the Ghana Football Association.
The Association issued a statement on Sunday morning, condemning Laryea Kingston’s conduct as unprofessional.
The Black Starlets held their recovery training session on Sunday morning at the Accra Sports Stadium led by First Team Assistant Coach Nana Agyemang.
The Black Starlets will play Nigeria in the 3rd place play-offs on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the University of Ghana, Legon Stadium.
