Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) chairman, Dr. Nyaho-Nyaho Tamakloe, has criticized the corruption that has engulfed the Ghana Premier League.
Speaking to 3FM, the Hearts of Oak board member questioned how a club that lost just one home game out of 17, winning 16 of them, managed to achieve such a feat.
The renowned football administrator and politician suggested that this dominance hints at bribery and links it to the influence of betting companies.
"Unfortunately, the issue that we have in national politics has found its way into football," he said.
"Very sad! You ask yourself, how can one unknown club win 16 out of 17 matches on their home ground? If you are a bit into football, ask yourself this simple question. And the 16 matches that they won on their home grounds gave them about 48 points, making them winners already. And this is through corruption and bribery."
He expressed frustration that traditional clubs like Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko struggle because they supposedly refuse to participate in such practices.
"That is why at the moment, clubs like Hearts of Oak, who will not give money – and people should listen to me very carefully – or Kotoko, have all fallen back, but I can tell them we are coming back," he said.
"The two leading clubs shall come back in a different form, and those who have been creating this confusion that is destroying Ghanaian football... that is why we are nowhere on the continent. Football has been taken over by betting."
Samartex FC won the 2023/24 League after amassing a total of 61 points. The Western Region side emerged with the most wins (19) in the season. They won 16 at home, making them the side with the most home wins.
By virtue of winning the Ghana Premier League, Samartex will represent the country in the 2024/25 CAF Champions League.