By Patrick Akoto
Former Heart of Lions president Victor Ahiakpor has made a heart-wrenching revelation about his frosty relationship with majority shareholder Randy Abbey, blaming him for running the club down, leading to their demotion to the country’s second-tier.
Ahiakpor says deep-seated division among the top brass of the club resulted in the side’s relegation from the top-flight.
He has accused the majority shareholder of disrespecting him despite making several attempts to make peace and build cordiality in the supreme interest of the club.
Abbey bought majority shares in the club last year and promised major managerial and structural changes but their demotion has sparked a wave of anger and sadness among their teeming fans.
The two men are reported to be at each other’s throat over the direction of the club which has sunk into oblivion.
And Ahiakpor has claimed the majority shareholder has disrespected him for far too long in a no-hold barred public condemnation of his conduct.
“Randy does not respect me but I have decided to keep quiet. I am not ready to give further details but it’s disappointing,†he told Accra-based Happy FM
“When we went to Obuasi, he pretended as if he had not seen me. He pretended to be on phone when I got close to him and had to hit his car glass to attract his attention.
“He pretended as if he was making a call. I am older than him and so I expect the same measure of I respect that I give him.
“I don’t have a problem with Randy but I don’t know what his problem is. He doesn’t feed me neither do I. I don’t go to his house begging for arms. I am an established man who brought this team from nowhere.
“The situation of the supposed shares bought will be discussed later.I am the founder of the club but now described as chief supporter. I never sold my team. Ask Randy Abbey if he bought Lions and for how much.
Look, we needed only a point to survive but we lost. I am so depressed and sad over how things have turned up.â€
It appears there is power play at the club with the former owner questioning the quota of shares bought by the former Ghana FA Executive committee member.
Abbey is reported to have acquired 70% shares of the club from Ahiakpor last year but the detail of the deal has remained in secrecy.