“We do not care about relegation, if we beat Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko,” is a familiar saying that echoes around the blocks of Accra Great Olympics.
However, after that dubious penalty officially sent Oly Dade packing to the second-tier of Ghana football, no fan seems to remember that their dear club did not suffer a single defeat against their two arch-rivals last season.
You could cut through the tension at the Accra Sports Stadium that faithful Sunday before Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban buried that equalising penalty at the death against Berekum Chelsea at the Golden City Park.
And dead they were, but alive came the fans with anger spewing unprintable words. When a staunch supporter of the club, Joseph Langabel finally found his voice, he simply called for the club’s CEO Oloboi Commodore to be sacked. A stance keenly backed by a section of the club’s supporters, who want a change in management. Change has been a recurring factor at Accra Great Olympics, especially in the coaching department.
Instability in technical team
In less than two years, Yaw Preko, Annor Walker, Bismark Kobi Mensah, and Orlando Wellington have all taken charge at Oly Dade bringing the club’s long-term planning to question.
The administrative shortfalls seem to have transcended onto the playing body and subsequently to the field of play. When former Black Stars midfielder, Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu joined the club in the 2022/2023 campaign, he was allegedly cherry-picking which matches to play, causing unrest among the players and leading to revolt.
He exited the club before the second round, but Olympics managed to survive on the last matchday of the season with a 2-1 victory over current MTN FA Cup champions, Nsoatreman FC.
Renewed hoped dashed for Great Olympics
When the new season began, the dark days seemed to be over for Olympics having kept five clean sheets in a row and 16 in total (the most) at the end of the season. But that was not enough to guarantee safety as their attack continuously failed to produce goals.
By the second round, the return of Gladson Awako was hailed as the key to unlock the dormant attack. But as the club’s communication director, Saint Osei will later reveal after several closed-door meetings, the problems of the club are innumerable.
A traditional club has sunk deep into the abyss of the Divisional One League on its 70th anniversary, and the worry of the supporters is how they are going to climb back to the top-flight as soon as possible given the tough nature of the lower divisions.
Player Exodus looms
With offers and rumours already ringing in town about the departure of its best players, it’s difficult to wager your last fortune on a quick return. Benjamin Asare, arguably the best goalkeeper in the league, is already linked to Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak.
Great Olympics recorded 16 Clean Sheets and joint most clean sheets with Medeama SC and Heart of Lions but were relegated. pic.twitter.com/2paJxyKP4h
— Shaban Mohammed (@ShabanMo9) June 26, 2024
Samuel Ashie Quaye and Emmanuel Antwi are both rumoured to make the move to Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko respectively.
Great Olympics might not survive the mass exodus of its best talent. And the glory days of 1970 and 1974 when they won the league might not return anytime soon.
By Mandela Yaw Anuvabe
