For over a decade majority of Ghanaians have lost interest in the Ghana Premier League. The almighty English Premier League, Spanish La Liga and the Uefa Champions League have taken over. With no sign of this changing, we have delved into the reason why it will be difficult for this trend to change anytime soon.
PITCHES
As compared to the South African, Egyptian and other top leagues on our continent, the pitches do not make the cut for the league division. It leads or brings about career threatening injuries and affects the quality of play showed on it. Bad and poor grassing to very bumpy, rough and hard surface.
POOR OFFICIATING
Joseph Lamptey for example is a disgrace to Ghana League with no disrespect. At the end of every season it seems the teams are not satisfied with the performance of the officials because they consistently make the same mistakes which cannot be tolerated anymore. Guess you can find some match officials on the payroll of competing teams or clubs leading to unprofessionalism with shame.
BRANDING
Marketing – sales – growth as the chain in management. The GPL has got a long way to go if we are to reach even half the height of the Egyptian League in terms of management. Brands managed properly stand a very good chance of winning over the hearts of public (fans) in Ghana. The FA do not convince the potential client base.
QUALITY OF PLAYERS
Way back, we had Opoku Nti, Osei Kofi, Mohammed Polo, Charles Taylor, Don Bortey, Steven Oduro, Michael Osei, among others. These players had an impact but we do not see such players anymore. Competing teams boasted such equally good players for the fans to debate and celebrate about them. On match day between Kotoko and Hearts, people had to be on their toes form the start to the end showing how passionate people were back then but nowadays you do not see such atmosphere around anymore.
CLUBS ABILITY TO HOLD ON TO THEIR BEST PLAYERS
For over a decade now, Ghanaian clubs have been unable to hold on to their best players. When a player perform well this season, he is sold the following season. It would have been very good if the players were sold to European clubs but to see them moving to the Middle East and other African countries with the exception of South Africa and the North African countries, is very bad. But they players cannot be blamed since the pay they receive in Ghana is very heartbreaking. For a player who is playing in a professional league to be paid 450 cedis is very unprofessional.
