Ghana FA gives full backing to Jones Attuquayefio charity match

By Ameenu Shardow

Organizers of the Sir Cecil Jones Attuquatefio Charity Match have promised to sell out a good game after the Ghana FA pledged its unflinching support for the initiative.

Primeval Consult in collaboration with the Ghana FA are organizing this one off game to honour former Ghana international and coach for his massive contribution to the development of football in the country.

The game which will be played at the Accra Sports Stadium will see the Black Stars take on the Friends of Attuquayefio which will be predominantly made up of the famous 64 Battalion team of Hearts of Oak.

The Black Stars side will be coached by Maxwell Konadu while veteran coach Sam Arday will manage the Friends of Attuquayefio side for the game.

Attuquayefio, 67, who is currently battling throat cancer is best known for his exploits with Hearts of Oak where he led the Phobians to a record six consecutive league titles and their first and only Caf Champions League success and Super Cup in 2000.

He also led the side chalk a famous victory over rivals Asante Kotoko to clinch the maiden Caf Confederations Cup in 2004.

He took over the Black Stars where he paraded a team full of locals to clinch a famous draw against the then mighty Nigeria in Accra in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers.

Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio’s greatness transcended the shores of Ghana when he qualified Benin to their first ever Nations Cup finals in 2004 before returning to Ghana to take up a scouting job for the Black Stars at Ghana’s maiden appearance at the World Cup in 2006.

Primeval Consult’s initiative falls in line with the Ghana FA’s plans to honour past heroes of Ghana football and have thus given their full blessing and support to the game on Friday.

“They say people honour people when they are gone but we don’t want to honour Jones when he is gone,” the Communications Director of the GFA Ibrahim Sannie-Daara said at a press briefing of the game on Wednesday.

“The contributions he had done for this nation haven coached all the national teams , from the U-17 to the Black Stars deserves massive commendation.

“Aside that, the number of players he has been able to churn out for the nation both old and current is just incredible.

“Therefore Primeval Consult’s initiative fell in line with the Ghana FA’s plans to honour such heroes but for lack of funds we have been unable to get things rolling.

“But we have decided to set up a fund to cater for not only Sir Jones but other former players who are in difficulty.

“So we want to thank sincerely Primeval Consult for organizing this game to honour such a great personality who have given so much to Ghana football.

“We have urged all of the Black Stars players available to participate in this event to ensure it becomes a success.”

Attuquayefio aside his exploits on the field of play and on the sidelines also contributed immensely in the board room when he became General Secretary and subsequently Vice President of the Ghana FA.

Proceeds from the Friday’s 5pm kickoff game will be donated to the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.