Kwesi Nyantakyi
Ex-Ghana winger Laryea Kingston is beside himself with sorrow following the Tiger Eye documentary that implicated former Ghana football chief Kwesi Nyantakyi a few years ago.
The infamous documentary stripped the former Ghana FA boss of his enviable achievements domestically and across the globe after 13 years in office.
He inched closer to the CAF topmost position as the vice president, having earned a respectable position at FIFA as an Executive Council member and other high ranking positions in the sub-region.
To the former Hearts of Midlothian FC star, what befell Nyantakyi was unfortunate and does not deserve such treatment despite the many corruption allegations levelled against him.
Nyantakyi was found guilty of conflicts of interest, bribery and corruption and commission after being caught on camera accepting alleged bribes by the FIFA Ethics Committee which subsequently led to his lifetime ban.
Notwithstanding the ‘fishy’ documentary, the former Hearts of Oak winger insists the punishment was harsh, stating on Starr FM, “For me, I feel very sad and bad about that situation. He (Nyantakyi), Fred Pappoe had always been with us during our time.
“Something like shouldn’t have happened. It should not happen to him or any human being. It’s very harsh and unfortunate.
“He had done extremely well compared to his predecessors. If you compare to him to the previous chairmen, he is if not the best if you put everything together.”
Under his tenure, Ghana booked its first-ever World Cup ticket in 2006 and made two successive appearances in 2010 and 2014, two AFCON finals, three semi-finals, among other achievements.
The former Wa All Stars boss has since denied the allegations and has appealed FIFA’s ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is yet to be heard.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum