Ghana Football Association (GFA) President and CAF 2nd Vice President, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has opened up about why he never pursued a professional football career, despite his deep love for the game.
According to him, every footballer eventually hits a turning point ; the moment when passion meets the reality of talent. For him, that moment came on the familiar, dusty pitches of Achimota.
“I think I was very honest with myself,” he said. “I played with the stars at Achimota at the time, and I had to tell myself that I was not the most talented. Not many people can say that to themselves.”
While he was known for his dedication and work ethic, Okraku admitted that natural ability separated him from those destined for the top level.
“I was very hardworking, to tell you the truth, but I was not a talent like Wilfred Dormon,” he added, referring to the current Dreams FC head coach. “I played with Wilfred, even though he was much younger than I was. He was a super talent at that time. I was not one. I was not. So I knew I would not find myself [in the professional game].”
Rather than dwell on what could have been, Okraku shifted his focus to the business and development side of football ; a move that has defined his career.
From founding clubs to leading Ghana’s football administration, his journey shows that the game isn’t just about what happens on the pitch ; it’s also about who shapes it off it.
