Soccer News of Sunday, 20 February 2011

Source: GNA

Nyantakyi arrives in Khartoum for CAF elections

(From Kofi Addae, GNA Special Correspondent, Khartoum, Sudan)

Khartoum, Sudan, Feb. 20, GNA - President of the Ghana Football Association, (GFA) Kwesi Nyantakyi on Saturday arrived in Khartoum for the 33rd Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ordinary General Assembly scheduled for February 23.

The GFA boss is vying for the Zone West B slot of the CAF Executive Committee, for which elections will be held at the Assembly to be attended by delegates from the 53 National Associations affiliated to the continent's soccer controlling body.

Nyantakyi arrived in the company of GFA General Secretary, Kofi Nsiah and Executive Committee member, George Amoako, obviously to intensify his campaign in line with his ambition for a place amongst the 91power brokers' of African football.

The Ghanaian delegation have 91tactically' pitched camp at the plus= h Burj Al Fateh Hotel situated along the Nile Road in the heart of Khartoum, which houses CAF President Issa Hayatou and the top brass of the Confederation to be in constant touch with the flow of information.

The journey for the position has been reduced to a three-man race following the withdrawal of Tata Avlessi Adaglo, a former President of the Togo Football Federation, who has openly canvassed his support for the GFA boss. Nyantakyi faces stiff opposition from Anjorin Moucharafou, President o= f the Beninois Football Federation and Hima Souley, a former President of the Niger Football Federation.

Information gathered by GNA Sports in Khartoum indicates that the two candidates breezed into town last week largely due to their membership of the Organising Committee of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) underwa= y in Sudan. The GFA boss is expected to meet with his campaign team and delegates on the eve of the elections, with most delegates expected to arrive between 19 February and 22 February.

Nyantakyi who has been President of the GFA since December 2005 is seeking to become the fifth Ghanaian to serve on the CAF Executive Committee after Ohene Djan (1961-1966), Kobina Hagan (1961-1962), Nana Fredua Mensah (1968-1972) and Samuel Okyere (1990-1994).