Randy Abbey is keeping his intentions of fighting Kwesi Nyantakyi for the Ghana FA presidency close to his chest while potential candidate Fred Pappoe insists his focus is to save Great Olympics from relegation rather than contesting the seat.
The two are the top FA officials who were widely tipped to contest Nyantakyi in next month's election but Randy's refusal to declare his stand has heightened speculations of his candidature.
Pappoe's decision to stay out of the race in the August 17 polls has also sparked the prospect that he is likely to vie for the vice-presidency instead of contesting Nyantakyi.
This will enable Pappoe to get the support of the powerful and influential GFA boss Nyantakyi to help him take the seat of Fred Crentsil who is unlikely to stand for re-election.
Long-serving Admund Munkaila and MNS Doe are also among those tipped to fight for the vice-presidential slot.
George Afriyie, like Doe and Munkaila are wild cards for that position too thanks to their unflinching and unwavering support for Nyantakyi but Pappoe looks keen on winning back the support of Nyantakyi having served as his deputy for several years.
In separate interviews with the Graphic Sports yesterday, the two men (Abbey and Pappoe) who, hitherto, were Nyantakyi’s aide de camps during his first term, flatly refused to be drawn into matters of the election which was announced by the GFA Executive Committee (ExCo) last Wednesday.
While Abbey, who was absent at last Wednesday’s ExCo meeting, was completely indifferent towards the FA, which is an indication that he could yet thrown his hat into the ring.
“I’m not prepared to talk about anything concerning the FA now,” Abbey, who now manages Heart of Lions, declared.
And when asked to comment on the five-day ultimatum given by the ExCo for the filing of nominations, Randy revealed that he was yet to get the details of the GFA elections which could mean he is keen.
However, Pappoe, aka Papsay, attributed his decision to his concentration’s on Accra Great Olympics’ survival in the First Capital Premier League (FCPPL).
On his part, Papsay simply said he was not going to comment on the elections now since he was preoccupied with how to save his club from relegation.
“I’m now thinking of Olympics’ survival in the league. I’ve a big headache now so I’m not thinking of the FA elections at all,” he stated. He, however, said since he was present at the meeting when the five-day notice for nominations was decided, it would be wrong on his part to kick against it.
Barely 48 hours after the announcement of the FA elections roadmap, no candidate has yet declared their intention to contest the incumbent Nyantakyi who has already declared his ambition to seek a third term.
The ExCo last Wednesday approved a proposal forwarded by the elections committee of the GFA chaired by Mr Richard Oblitey Solomon and, accordingly, fixed August 17 for the GFA elections.
The ExCo also agreed on dates for the election of representatives of the Premier, Division One, RFAs and the constituent bodies. The roadmap for the 2015 GFA Elections begins from July 13 when nominations for the presidential elections open and end on July 17.