Ghanaian Premier League club, Accra Lions has undergone a significant ownership change as Lothar Herbert Matthäus, the former captain of the German national team and a World Cup winner, has acquired the majority stake in the club. According to reports from German outlet Der Spiegel, Matthäus has enlisted Ghana international Frank Acheampong and football agent Oliver Konig, the previous owners, as his partners in this venture. The German’s investment in Accra Lions is estimated to be around €2 million.
Matthäus explained his motivation for the purchase in an interview with Bild, highlighting the immense talent pool present in Ghana and the opportunities it presents. “It is undoubtedly a business model. Ghana has always had an enormous potential for producing talented footballers, as evident in their national team,” he stated. The former Inter Milan player further emphasized his objective of nurturing young players for the European market. “Our aim is to bring young players to Europe who are not only talented but also well-prepared for the challenges they will face. That is why we are investing heavily in the training infrastructure.”
Accra Lions, founded in 2015, has steadily progressed over the years and currently competes in the top tier of Ghanaian football. They currently occupy the 9th position in the 2022/2023 Ghana Premier League standings, accumulating 44 points with just one match remaining in the season.
With Matthäus at the helm, Accra Lions can anticipate a renewed focus on player development and the pursuit of European opportunities, as the club seeks to maximize the potential of Ghanaian talent.