Former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, has shared a candid reflection on his career trajectory, revealing that he was on the verge of becoming the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) before his forced exit in 2018.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Nyantakyi detailed how his senior position within the continental body made his ascension to the top post almost certain.
The Successor Apparent
At the peak of his influence, Nyantakyi served as the First Vice President of CAF, making him the most senior football official on the continent after the president.
“It was very possible. At the time I exited CAF and football, I was the first vice president of the federation. I was the next most senior football official on the continent of Africa,” Nyantakyi explained. “So it was just a matter of course that if the president was not there, I was the most favourable person to step into his shoes.”
He noted that his downfall was a missed opportunity for Ghana to hold the highest office in African football, though he expressed optimism that future Ghanaian administrators could still achieve that milestone.
The ‘Number 12’ Scandal and Legacy
Nyantakyi’s prominent career came to an abrupt end in June 2018 following the release of Number 12, an undercover documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The investigation exposed deep-seated corruption within Ghanaian and African football.
The documentary famously captured Nyantakyi accepting $65,000 from an undercover reporter posing as a businessman. During the recorded conversation, he suggested he could leverage his relationship with high-ranking government officials to facilitate business interests.
The fallout was immediate:
- Resignations: He stepped down from his roles at the GFA, CAF, and the FIFA Council.
- FIFA Sanctions: Initially banned for life from all football-related activities, FIFA later reduced the sanction to a 15-year ban.
Life After Administration
When asked if the scandal and subsequent loss of his career had caused him personal pain, Nyantakyi maintained a stoic outlook.
“I am not hurt by anything like that. Life goes on. There are many opportunities in life for every individual,” he stated, insisting that he has moved on from the events of 2018.
His legal battles in Ghana also reached a conclusion in February 2025, when criminal charges against him were dropped. Prosecutors were unable to secure the testimony of key witnesses, including Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who declined to testify in court without his trademark mask for security reasons.
While Nyantakyi remains a polarizing figure in the sport, his latest comments underscore the magnitude of the power shift that occurred in African football following the Number 12 revelations.
Source: Citi News Room
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