Former boss of the Ghana Football Association, Lepowura Mohammed Nuru Deen Jawula, has backed calls for incumbent president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, to consider staying in office beyond his current term following the latter’s decision not to run for the 2019 contest.

Current Vice-President George Afriyie surprised many in the football fraternity when he announced during his 50th birthday celebration that he was going to throw his hat into the ring if his boss stood by his words not to seek re-election.

This has drawn sharp condemnation from some football administrators who have labelled Mr Afriyie’s action as a betrayal of trust.

For Mr Jawula, the uncertainty concerning whether Mr Nyantekyi may be nominated by the Local FA should be more than enough reason to at least contest the position for one more term.

“The structure of CAF and FIFA is such that you must always be nominated by your host nation before you can participate in those elections. Now Kwesi has not told me he is worried by the current happenings but definitely if I were in his position, I would worry. If I hand over and I go and the next person refuses to submit my name.

“I have had that experience personally when Ben Kuofie refused to submit my name for the Executive Committee of CAF. I would have been on the Executive Committee long ago. Every effort was made to submit my name. Issa Hayatou (former CAF President) was prepared to assist me to get on board but he [Kuofie] submitted his name. Unfortunately, in Mali, he was compelled to withdraw because that was not their intention, so, all these things are possibilities.”

He further backed calls for Mr Nyantakyi to make himself available to serve at least one more term.

“If I were pushed, I would ask Kwesi to continue one more term just to steer the stage because at the moment, the stage is not stable. When you have a situation when your vice wants to contest you, it means it is not stable. If you have just one person, then you know the situation is stable but not where there appears to be a long list of individuals wanting to enter the fray”, he told ClassSports.

The FA election is scheduled to take place next year at a yet-to-be named date.