Published on May 10 2025
Veteran Football Administrator and Bankroller of FC Tamale, Mr. Ibrahim Gagbuni has called on Education Minister, Hon.Haruna Iddrisu who doubles as owner of Karela United to prioritize the campaign of the premier league club ensuring their stay in the Ghanaian elite Football Division, while also admonishing the lawmaker to reconsider the ambition of Steadfast FC in the Division One League, a club he bankrolls too.
According to Mr. Gagbuni, maintaining two clubs at the elite level is economically unsustainable, strategically counterproductive, and dilutes the potential of both teams.
In a long epistle on Facebook, the UK-based Football Administrator commended the efforts of the Education Minister for investing in football, but maintains that it is not sustainable.
“While ambition is commendable, maintaining two clubs at the elite level is economically unsustainable, strategically counterproductive, and dilutes the potential of both teams Here’s why: Economic & Managerial Strain, we all know what it’s take to run a club let alone running two competitive clubs and it’s demands, Double financial investment, salaries, logistics, facilities and general administrative cost”.
Explaining reasons for his advice, the FC Tamale Owner, believes splitting resources between two clubs makes no sense, rather weakening the potential of the two clubs, hence suggests that Karela FC, a Premier League club, should be well funded as it has the propensity to outperform two financially stretched clubs.
To further his call, Mr. Ibrahim Gagbunidoo intimated that Steadfast should serve as a feeder club for Karela, producing and nurturing young talents for the Premier League. Instead of competing for the same players, adding that
A United structure would streamline talent progression and reduce risk to both clubs.
“Steadfast should serve as a feeder club for Karela, recruiting and nurturing young talents for the Premier League. Instead of competing for the same players, a united structure would streamline talent progression. And reduced risk to both clubs, as we all know that both of them in elite leagues risk cannibalizing each other’s squad depth, leaving Karela weaker in the top-flight league”.
He recognized brand Consolidation and Regional Dominance as a competitive advantage that Karela FC can leverage to thrive.
“Brand Consolidation & Regional Dominance.
Karela has a unique opportunity to dominate the Northern Ghana football scene, utilising fans across all 4 Northern Regions. Two club split fans’ loyalty and sponsorship appeals, whereas one strong Karela can become the undisputed regional powerhouse, attracting bigger investment, commercial deals, and fan base”.
Karela United is currently under siege in the Ghana Premier League as relegation is staring in their face if performance is not improved as the league inches to an end. Karela lies 15th on the league log with 32 points, the same points as the 14th-placed team.
Below is the full epistle of Ibrahim Gagbuni
Hon Haruna Iddrisu must Stop the split, why Leader must choose between Karela’s glory or dual club failure.
A call for Resources on Karela United Over Steadfast FC, I strongly advocate for Hon Haruna Iddrisu to prioritize karela united in the Ghana premier league and reconsider steadfast Division One ambitions
In a long epistle on Facebook, the UK base Football Administrator commended the efforts of the Education Minister for investing in football but maintains that it is not sustainable.
“While ambition is commendable, maintaining two clubs at the elite level is economically unsustainable, strategically counterproductive, and dilutes the potential of both teams Here’s why: Economic & Managerial Strain , we all know what it’s take to run a club let alone running two competitive clubs and it’s demands, Double financial investment, salaries,logistics,facilities and general administrative cost”
Ghanaian football already struggles with funding, and splitting resources between Karela a premier league club and steadfast a division one club weakens both.
One well funded Karela will out perform two financially stretched teams
Player Development & Competitive Edge Steadfast should serve as a feeder club for Karela, recruiting and nurturing young talents for the Premier League. Instead of competing for the same players,
A United structure would streamline talent progression. And reduced risk to both clubs, as we all know that both of them in elite leagues risk cannibalizing each others squad depth, leaving Karela weaker in the top flight league.
These could be the beginning of
brand Consolidation & Regional Dominance.
Karela has a unique opportunity to dominate Northern Ghana football scenes utilising fans across all 4 Northern Regions .Two club split fans loyalty and sponsorship appeals, whereas one strong Karela can become the undisputed regional powerhouse, attracting bigger investment, commercial deals and fan base.
Leader must at all cost avoid self sabotage, steadfast rise directly compete with Karela for attention and resources and in a long run, both clubs loses their competitive badge. Ie, Karela struggles in the top flight and steadfast stuck in Division One.
A single focus on Karela ensures better management and a stand by replacement of upcoming talent . I personally feels so strongly about this and I hope that Leader will listen.
I have no doubt that Leader’s vision for football development is noble, but consolidation of Karela and steadfast is key.
Redirecting steadfast resources into Karela, Leader can build one elite club that is capable of winning trophies and competing in Africa which will definitely brings us all Northers pride and inspiration for the next generation.
Two struggling clubs make no sense . One dominant Karela does.
The choice is very clear .
