Gordon Kusi Brooklyn, a former Ghana Division One League Zone Two striker for Asokwa Deportivo SC and current Nigerian top-flight player for Enyimba FC, believes the Nigerian league is significantly superior to the Ghanaian league.
The footballer believes that the Nigerian league is significantly superior to the Ghana Premier League financially and in terms of facilities.
He claimed that Ghanaian players are underpaid, and their care is not as good as it is in Nigeria.
As a result, he has advised Ghanaian stakeholders to improve their game.
In an exclusive interview with Rainbowradioonline.com and Rainbow Sports, the skilled player said, “I think the Nigeria Premier League is far better than the Ghana Premier League because Oscar the Brazilian once said football is a passion, but it has gotten to the point where you will also ask yourself, what next after football? There is no money in Ghana’s Premier League. The players are not being handled fairly. With Nigeria, I was lucky to play for one of the finest, so my financial situation was not dire.
I’ve played in Division with Kumasi-based Deportivo, Ash Gold, and Elmina Sharks, so I know what I’m talking about. Financially, it is difficult to be a Ghanaian player. It is exhausting labour to do as a guy, and it is difficult for a male to play football professionally in Ghana. You would struggle unless you have a good link and a strong backbone as a player in Ghana who can help you financially. If you have an injury in Ghana, you must decide whether to end your career or continue.
How many footballers are paid Ghc2,000 per month in Ghana? Even if you are paid as a player, you must work hard to earn your money. This is a problem. So I believe that if our leaders do their best, things will improve. Nigeria also has better facilities than we do. It isn’t the best, but it’s considerably superior than what we have in Ghana. The majority of their pitches are astroturfs. Though it is not the best, it is what they can offer. Four of its teams were chosen to represent Africa. Ghana has two. Financially, they outperform us. They also get sponsorship. Nigeria is significantly superior to us. Football is now about money.
“I went outside to play football and then returned home, and now I’m expected to care for my family. However, in Ghana, you will finish the season and call individuals for money. Playing in Ghana is not easy. It was simply fortunate for me to visit Nigeria and play.”
In sharing his experience, he said it was not easy for him to play beyond the shores of Ghana because it was difficult for him to communicate with his teammates.
He said that although they speak English, the tone is different, adding that one other challenge he discovered was the pattern played in Nigeria.
Adapting to their pattern, he admitted, was a bit difficult because they play more of the physique type of football compared to the flair combination played in Ghana.
He noted that playing with them provides more exposure than one would receive in Ghana.
On whether he accomplished his expectations, he stated that he had hoped they could build a name for themselves in the league, but they were unable to do so. An opportunity to play in the AFL arose, but they were eliminated by Casablanca. The third one was for us to win the league, but we lost.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
