Yahaya Mohammed: INSET: J.E. Sarpong
Former Tema Youth /Nice defender Yahaya Mohammed is demanding an unqualified apology from veteran coach JE Sarpong for his ‘wee’ comments.
Last week, the ex-Kotoko/Great Olympics head trainer alleged that a fraction of Ghanaian players smoke substances believed to be Indian hemp (wee) to enhance their performance on the pitch.
However, the Aduana Stars defender-turned-attacker has described the coach’s comment as defamatory against home-based footballers, and should apologise to them.
“Coach JE Sarpong must apologise to Ghanaian players. It is time for people to tell the truth to some people like him,” Yahaya told Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.
“His comments that about 60% of Ghanaian players smoke weed are very bad.
I don’t smoke but look at the people he has coached ? like Asamoah Gyan and others.
“Does he know the 60 per cent of 100 players? It is a false statement and he should retract the statement. I can say that 60% of the Ghanaian players ? both in the Premier and the Division One Leagues ? smoke marijuana,” Sarpong told Angel FM.
“I have coached most of them, but of course, we have something called coach-player relationship.
“There was a match between Accra Great Olympics and Hearts of Oak. One player came to me and said I should buy him ‘weed’ and we will win the match.”
He added, “I later noticed that he was not the only person, he was sent by his colleagues. I told him, I can’t buy for him, so I gave him the money and in that game he was the man of the match. He gave the assist for our winning goal.
“It is a bad practice but if it will win the match [for me], I don’t mind. If my team wins the match, I take my winning bonus [as a coach] and I’m gone.
“What I will do for my team to win is what is important.”
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum