The President of the Ghana Football Asociation, Kwesi Nyantakyi, is being urged to go on the offensive and declare his stand as one of the most critical phases in his administrative football career approaches. A group calling itself "Friends of Ghana Football" have vowed to support and campaign for the The 41 year old Ghanaian on the domestic and global fronts to ensure that the gradual and steady rise of Ghana football continues. The group which is made up of grassroots football administrators, students and national football supporters is led by a physical education instructor Jacob Eshun who believes that it is about time Ghanaians hailed success and supported one of their own to win a key seat on the body that steers the affairs of African football in Cairo Egypt. "We know that recent allegations and publications against the GFA's stewardship, competence and accountability are just smokescreens to divert attention from the real issue of Nyantakyi's total readiness,commitment and loyalty to the development of Ghana football." Ghana enhanced the position of Africa in World Football by winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009. Besides, winning Silver at the 2009 CHAN Competition in Ivory Coast and the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola as well as successfully hosting the 2008 African Nations Cup in Ghana, Nyantakyi's critics are on the warpath. Mr. Eshun has therefore called on government to throw it's full weight behind the legal practitioner and ensure that everything is done to pave the way for Nyantakyi to grab the CAF slot when the moment arrives. "This is a golden opportunity for Ghana to have a say on the executive committee so let us put personal issues aside and rally around the candidature of Ghana the country and not neccessarily Nyantakyi the individual." Already tagged as a "shining example in African football", the Nyantakyi led FA has chalked a number of remarkable feats as well as firsts in African and international football. Some have attributed this to the incisive leadership style that has paved the way for successes which have not only caught the eye of CAF President Isa Hayatou, but also impressed the international body FIFA. Ironically, the GFA administration has recently come under attack and faced scrutiny at home but on the continent and within international football circles the association and Nyantakyi in particular continue to win admirers and support especially in his bid to serve on the Executive Committee of CAF. If there are doubts as to the competence or direction of Ghana football on the domestic front, there seems to be no such concerns from the powers that be at CAF and FIFA. Recent comments by World football governing chief Sepp Blatter have been encouraging to say the least "As we have seen with the strong leadership in Ghana football, this should not be an exception to the success that can be achieved in African football through stringent policies and hard work." Again, during a press briefing at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, Nyantakyi was singled out by Blatter who was invited to give his own point of view on the early elimination of France and Italy. "It is not an accident but a firm and bold leadership policy that is looking to younger players and the future of the game especially in Ghana." The maverick Swiss evoked the absence of young players under the age of 23 in these two teams (France 0 and Italy 1)in comparison with Germany and Ghana, who consistently fielded the most youngsters in the competition (Germany 5 and Ghana 7 players )aged 23 years and 9 months or younger. “They are positive examples if we compare to France and Italy”, declared the Swiss. As far back as 2006, Nyantakyi was conferred with the highest national award in Ivory Coast by Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo who decorated the Ghanaian with the Order of Ivory Coast at a special ceremony in Abidjan. The Ivorian leader’s move to honour Nyantakyi and four other FA presidents was his recognition of their efforts at ensuring the qualification of their countries to the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. Meanwhile in a recent exclusive interview granted to e.tv South Africa, the GFA boss was asked about how he deals with all the criticism that comes with his job. "If you criticize me objectively, that is fair game but if you insult me, I will insult you back" The interview will be aired on e.tv Ghana on Tuesday August 17 at 8:30 pm By Ben Bright Brooks