Rev Osei Kofi Reflects on Disappointment and Joy at 2010 World Cup
Rev Osei Kofi, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner and one of Ghana’s legendary footballers has spoken candidly about his feelings of disappointment when he was initially overlooked by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Despite his pivotal role in Ghana’s football history, leading the Black Stars to two AFCON titles, Osei Kofi found himself excluded from the group of individuals selected to attend the World Cup, a decision that still stings.
In an interview with Sporty FM, Osei Kofi revealed that he was shunned by the GFA despite his distinguished football career. It wasn’t until the intervention of a Nigerian sports management company that he finally received an invitation to attend the World Cup. His journey to South Africa came about after an unexpected encounter with a woman who requested a history of Ghana-Nigeria football matches from the GFA.
Ghana sent a lot of people, but I wasn’t part of it. I was sent to that World Cup in South Africa by a sports management company from Nigeria. A lady came to Ghana, went to the FA, and said she wanted a short history of Ghana and Nigeria football matches. Nyantakyi told her to come to me and I provided everything the lady asked for, Osei Kofi explained.
Unbeknownst to Osei Kofi the lady had already made arrangements for his trip to the World Cup a gesture that was kept secret until the last moment. Three weeks after providing the requested information Osei Kofi received a call that would change everything. She said I’d hear from her after three weeks. One morning she called to congratulate me for being nominated as one of the legends of African football and told me I was going to South Africa to watch the World Cup free of charge, he recalled.
The invitation was a moment of joy for Osei Kofi, who was able to witness the Black Stars’ historic run to the World Cup quarterfinals. However, his excitement was short-lived as Ghana’s journey ended in heartbreak. The Black Stars were eliminated by Uruguay in a dramatic penalty shootout falling just one kick short of becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
Osei Kofi’s experience at the 2010 World Cup highlights both the disappointments and the triumphs of a football legend. Although he had been excluded from the official delegation, his eventual inclusion allowed him to be part of one of Ghana’s most memorable football moments. Yet the heartbreak of seeing the Black Stars so close to making history left a bittersweet taste further underscoring the emotional highs and lows of the beautiful game.
As Osei Kofi continues to reflect on his legacy his story serves as a reminder of the challenges and triumphs that come with being a pioneer in Ghanaian football.