Former Accra Hearts of Oak defender Anthony Yeboah has expressed his displeasure over how football legends in Ghana are constantly being forgotten.
The recent passing of former Black Stars duo Akwasi Owusu and Opoku Afriyie have triggered a whole host of retired footballers pouring out their concerns over how Ghanaians disregard their football heroes after they have hang up their boots.
The Ghanaian football history clearly indicates that the country enjoyed its greatest success during the times of these football legends that we are so quick to ignore.
A lot of these heroes have passed on and little or no attention has been given to them.
Yeboah who was popularly known as “Suhum Nsawam “, claims that the country only recognize its heroes when they depart from this world.
He believes that this attitude we have displayed so persistently, will only discourage the young footballers in the country from exhibiting any form of patriotism.
” I recieved news about the demise of Akwasi Owusu with a shock. What was worrying was his living condition before his death. This attitude of abandoning great people must end,” Yeboah told AshesGyamera.com
“The youth are watching and if care is not taken, nobody will be willing to sacrifice for the nation again so government must also help in several ways.”
“I have initiated a welfare project together with former colleagues at Bofoakwa including Nana Darteh, Nana Eshun and Papa Yaw that will seek to aid those in need. These three people are also in talks with other stakeholders to come on board to support this laudable initiative.
“Many great souls have fallen but I believe people like Dan Owusu who was Ghana Premier League topscorer for three consecutive times deserves better conditions now. Others like Teacher Musah who is the longest serving team manager in the anals of Ghana football of Bofoakwa fame plus others should be treated as real legends.
“I will also entreat the media, especially the electronic type to employ sports legends as panelists to help resucitate the dwindling fortunes of Ghana’s sports with their in-depth expertise and also give them some stipends as pertains in Europe,” he added.