Ghana Football Association President, Kurt Okraku, has expressed his dismay regarding the trend of fans booing players, asserting that such conduct contradicts Ghana’s identity as a football-loving nation.
In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook on Wednesday, March 13, Mr Okraku referenced recent incidents involving defender Baba Rahman and Black Princesses striker Mukarama Abdulai.
Rahman, who now plays for Greek side, POAK, faced jeering from spectators during a match in Kumasi last year, while Abdulai encountered similar treatment during their second Group A game against Tanzania in the ongoing 2023 African Games at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Despite this, Abdulai managed to net the decisive goal in a 2-1 triumph that propelled Ghana to the semifinals.
Okraku’s message conveyed a clear discontent with such occurrences, calling upon Ghanaians to refrain from such behaviour.
“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,” wrote Okraku.
“However, in recent times, a bad culture seems to be gaining ground 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. 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.
“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!!!!”
