Former vice president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie has insisted that he continue to support Kwesi Nyantakyi, though he says he'll still contest for the 2019 FA presidential election.

Kwesi Nyantakyi pronounced on countless times his desire to vacate the Ghana Football Association presidency seat when his tenure in office expires in 2019.

Following the CAF 1st vice president's declaration, Mr Afriyie on his 50th birthday celebration at the Mensvic Hotel, declared his intention of vying for the FA position in 2019.

Afriyie was relieved off his duty as the Black Stars management committee chairman before facing the axe as the nation's football governing body vice president.

However, according to Mr Afriyie, he holds no animosity against his former boss but that will change his decision to contest for the position in 2019.

"I will continue to support Nyantakyi in because he has laid some reforms that I believe if implemented will help develop our football," Afriyie told Asempa FM.

"I've always supported him and will continue to do so but that doesn't mean I will change my mind of contesting for the position in 2019."

"He has done all he could for Ghana football and I think the time has come for him vacate the seat."

"If I hear people saying my timing is wrong I get baffled because they have no idea the close door meetings I held with him. I'm the last person who will betray him."

It appears the battle lines have been drawn for the two men ahead of next year's Ghana FA presidential election.

It's unclear if Mr Nyantakyi will seek re-election after publicly stating he will bow out.

But undue pressure from the ruling government and other stakeholders has thrown the battle wide opened.