When an African- American football fanatic of mine visited Ghana in the early sixties, he was so fascinated with Agona Swedru All Blacks Football Club that he predicted that the team would in future be the greatest club in Ghana. He was so sentimental about the name All Blacks. I tried in vain to impress upon him that there were certain powerful clubs in the country with such a strong support base, that it would be almost unthinkable to surpass them. He stood his grounds and simply asked me to mark his prediction on the wall.

A year after his return home, I wrote to inform him that All Blacks had been relegated from the top division and to make matters worse, the club has been revamped with a new name Agona Fankobaa. He was not amused at all but said he still had the gut feeling that All Blacks shall rise again. Yes, All Blacks did return to the national league in 1970, but went in and out of the competition till 1978 when together with Fankobaa, the two Swedru clubs lost top division status.

Fankobaa managed to spring back in 1980 but it was brief. A year later the national league was renamed the premier league and since then, Swedru had not been represented till three seasons ago when All Blacks gained admission into this elite division. It is unfortunate that my America friend did not live long enough to witness this spectacular feat by All Blacks but he would even be happier to hear from his grave that All Blacks have scored a spectacular first in the annals of Ghana’s football club history.

Affectionately called the “Black Magicians”, All Blacks is the first traditional Ghanaian club to be bought by a foreign business tycoon, in the style of famous English clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, etc.

Japanese business tycoon and politician Toshihiro Iwasa has bought 70% shares in All Blacks and appointed his Korean partner Kwon Il Han Chief Executive. He is going to run the club like a business entity and employ his playing staff, technicians and board members. Veteran coach Fred Osam Duodu has been appointed head coach, former chairman George Afriyie who now owns 20% shares is deputy CEO and ace football commentator Dan Kwaku Yeboah of Peace FM fame is Communications Director.

This is quite a strong backroom staff and the football public is looking up to the Japanese businessmen to see how successful this novelty business run football club administration in Ghana would be. Agona Swedru, the home ground of All Blacks is a fertile catchment area of football enthusiasts and many are dreaming to see the day when at least half the size of Arsenals Emirates Stadium will be constructed at Agona Swedru.

At the moment, the Swedru Stadium has been declared unsuitable for premier league football and All Blacks would in the meantime use the Cape Coast Robert Mensah Stadium as home grounds.

On their first visit to their adopted home on Sunday Nov 23, All Blacks were quite impressive in the start of the 2008/2009 league with a pulsating 1-1 draw with Tema Youth. All Blacks led all the way, till a last minute penalty in favour of Tema Youth robbed “the Black Magicians” of the maximum points.

Supporters of Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak always pride themselves to be pacesetters in Ghana football but this time round All Blacks have beaten them to it. Club ownership is now the modern concept, Kotoko and Hearts cannot therefore afford to be left behind It is hoped that with their massive crowd support , these two great traditional clubs would think of running the club on business lines and they could start in a big way by floating shares. In the case of Kotoko, Manhyia could be the majority shareholders and officials would have no alternative but to account properly to shareholders.

I believe strongly that Kotoko and Hearts could take advantage of the greatly expanded stadia in Accra and Kumasi and maximize the gate intakes with proper management. What do you think?

Meanwhile the start of the 2008/2009 premier league on Sunday produced exciting results with Obuasi Ashgold under the new management of Herbert Mensah topping the scoring charts with a 4-1 home win over Real Tamale United. New entrants Bechem Chelsea scored a brilliant away victory over Liberty Professional at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

Defending champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko drew nil-nil with King Faisal Babies in their local derby at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. In other matches Berekum Arsenal beat Heart of Lions 1-0, Kessben beat Sekondi Eleven Wise 2-0 at Abramkese and Hasaacas drew goalless with Wa Stars in Sekondi.

Accra Hearts of Oak will meet new entrants St. Mirren at the Ohene Djan Stadium in an outstanding match on Monday Nov 24.

There are murmurs that the league fixtures had been arranged to favour certain top clubs who have been given perceived cheap opponents to boost their confidence with victories at the early stages of the competition. However the shocking defeat of Liberty Professionals at home by new comers Bechem Chelsea does not justify the accusation of favouritism by the organizers. Let’s not forget that there is no logic in football. Look at what is happening in the English premiership. All the four top clubs failed to score at the weekend with Arsenal confounding matters by conceding three goals to Manchester City two weeks after beating Manchester United.

The sporting world is exciting, keep loving sports.