Alfred Agbesi Woyome
Beleaguered business magnate Alfred Agbesi Woyome has made audacious statements regarding the Black Stars’ first-ever FIFA World Cup.
He has categorically stated that his efforts ensured Ghana’s qualification for the Germany 2006 Mundial.
He said he coordinated the team’s camping in Austria and paid part of the Black Stars’ expenses while they were preparing for the competition.
Ghana, guided by Serbian trainer Ratomir Dujkovic, emerged as the best African team at the 2006 soccer festival, reaching the last 16 before bowing to defending champions Brazil.
“I want to state it categorically and clearly here that Ghana’s ability to go to the World Cup the first time was my work,” the businessman told Citi TV.
He added, “I had to make sure that the Black Stars were taken to Austria, trained in the Bavarian region, sponsored by a company I work with, Red Bull, part of my businesses, and bused on the ground to that place.
I had to use my own personal money to help as many people as possible to get there [Germany].”
Four years on, the Black Stars, under another Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, qualified for the World Cup when South Africa hosted the prestigious competition.
Ghana made its third successive World Cup appearance in Brazil in 2014 under Kwasi Appiah but failed to pick a ticket when Russia hosted it in 2018.
Woyome was a former Honorary Vice Consul of Austria to Ghana and a leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum