President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has issued a strong warning, cautioning that players might decline selection for the Black Stars if subjected to severe criticism following subpar performances.
The Black Stars received significant backlash following their disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Speaking to the press during the GFA’s meet-the-press event in Kumasi, Okraku urged fans to refrain from verbally abusing players, highlighting the negative impact such behaviour could have on player morale and their willingness to represent the national team.
“If we excessively criticise our players when things go wrong, we risk losing their commitment and dedication. That’s why I’ve consistently emphasised the need for unwavering support for our players, regardless of the circumstances,” Okraku stated.
He emphasised the importance of trusting the technical team to make critical decisions regarding player selection, citing the expertise and judgement of the coaching staff.
Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 AFCON saw them finish third in a group that included Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
Despite efforts to turn the tournament around, the Black Stars suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde and consecutive 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique, resulting in their early elimination.
This marked the second consecutive tournament in which Ghana failed to advance beyond the group stage, extending the nation’s AFCON title drought to 42 years.
Okraku’s plea underscores the necessity of creating a supportive environment to nurture player development and success, urging fans to stand behind the team through bothtriumphs and challenges.
Head coach of Nsoatreman Football Club, Maxwell Konadu, has emerged as a potential candidate to join the coaching staff of the new Black Stars head coach.
Following the dismissal of coach Chris Hughton last month due to the Black Stars’ failure to progress in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is actively seeking a replacement.
Sources have indicated that Konadu, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Black Stars from 2014 to 2019, may be appointed as a deputy to the incoming head coach.
A five-member committee, tasked by the Ghana FA to identify a suitable candidate, is set to present their findings to the Executive Council by the end of this week. It is anticipated that the new head coach will be announced to the public before the end of February.
While several reports suggest that former Black Stars coach Otto Addo is the frontrunner for the position, Konadu’s potential involvement adds intrigue to the selection process.
Following reports indicating that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is considering reappointing Otto Addo as the new head coach of the Black Stars, the majority of Ghanaians seem highly supportive of this potential decision.
The Ghana senior men’s national team currently finds itself without a permanent coach following the recent departure of Chris Hughton, in the aftermath of the team’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
In response, the GFA has formed a committee tasked with finding a suitable replacement, with specific criteria outlined for the search process.
However, speculation suggests that Otto Addo is emerging as the frontrunner for the position, with discussions reportedly underway between Addo and the GFA.
This prospective appointment is gaining favour among Ghanaian football enthusiasts, who appear to endorse the choice, while the GFA is reportedly inclined to offer Addo a long-term contract.
Otto Addo previously served as head coach in early 2022, stepping in after Milovan Rajevac, and notably guided Ghana to victory over Nigeria in the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Despite a mixed performance at the tournament itself, Addo’s track record and familiarity with the team are seen as assets for the role.
After the World Cup, he returned tohis coaching duties at German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund.
The four-time Africa Champions have failed to impress in the past three tournaments, facing elimination during the group stages. These tournaments include two AFCONs and a FIFA World Cup.
Prior to their disappointing outing at AFCON 2023, the Black Stars were prematurely ousted from the group stage at AFCON 2021 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In an address to Parliament, Mustapha Ussif underscored the unacceptable nature of the Black Stars’ performances in these tournaments, particularly given the substantial investments made by the government in the team.
“The Black Stars’ performance in the last three major tournaments, namely the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire, where Ghana exited at the group stages of all three tournaments, notwithstanding government’s continuous huge investment in the team, is not acceptable,” he stated.
At the 2023AFCON tournament, where Ivory Coast emerged as winners, the Black Stars were eliminated in the group stage, finishing third in Group B with two points. They managed two draws and suffered one defeat.
Ghanaian media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah, has asserted that the main issue facing Ghanaian football is not the national team, the Black Stars, but rather the state of the local league.
She made these remarks on a live studio discussion with 3Music TV where she is disappointed in the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, an, the Head of Communications of the GFA, Henry Asante Twum for poorly managing football in Ghana
The broadcaster said Ghana football is ‘dead’ and the Ghana Premier League is also at the verge of collapsing.
“Our football is dead! Have you followed the local league? Forget about the Black Stars, because they don’t matter. The real problem is our local league. It is dead!” she said.
Nana Aba added that the recent protest by some football lovers, dubbed “Save Ghana Football,” was futile and that the only solution was to dissolve the GFA and get a ban from FIFA, the world football governing body.
“Yesterday, I saw that protest, the ‘save Ghana football‘. It’s not going to do anything. What we should do is dissolve that FA, get a ban from FIFA, and put our house in order. And putting a house in order doesn’t mean putting friends and cronies there. It means to put people with sense there to work,” she said.
Ghanaian media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah, asserts that only 8% of the politicians in Ghana are sensible. https://t.co/LbZjb1Xzkn
Ghanaian sports Journalists and football enthusiasts embarked on a “Save Ghana Football’ demonstration on February 14, 2024, under the banner of “#Save Ghana Football,” calling for the GFA president’s resignation and the disbandment of the executive committee.
One of the lead conveners, Saddick Obama, said the demonstration was necessitated by the decline of football over the years with proposed solutions by stakeholders not yielding positive results.
Thus, a petition was presented to parliament at the end of the protest outlining concerns such as, Institute a commission of inquiry, develop a national football policy, dissolution of search committee’s report on the appointment of a new Black Stars coach and several others.
Below is a document containing details of the petition:
Following their disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ghana has experienced a significant decline in the latest FIFA World Rankings.
The Black Stars, previously ranked 61st at the end of 2023, have now plummeted six places to 67th globally, reflecting their regression on both the global and African rankings.
Currently occupying the 14th position on the CAF rankings, Ghana has been surpassed by Cape Verde, South Africa, and DR Congo, who have all moved ahead of the four-time AFCON winners.
This decline follows Ghana’s premature exit from the 2023 AFCON, where they managed to secure only two points from three matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire, the champions of the 2023 AFCON hosted in Cote d’Ivoire, have seen a significant rise in their ranking, climbing ten places to 39th globally.
Nigeria, the runners-up, have also made substantial progress, moving up 14 places to 28th. Additionally, Angola, who was eliminated by Nigeria in the quarterfinals, experienced the mostconsiderable improvement, climbing 24 places to 93rd in the global rankings.
Addo, currently a member of Borussia Dortmund’s coaching staff, previously led the Black Stars during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, successfully securing Ghana’s qualification for the tournament ahead of Nigeria.
However, Ghana’s campaign in Qatar ended in disappointment as they exited the competition at the group stage with two losses and one win.
Following Addo’s departure from the role, Chris Hughton was appointed as head coach.
Despite significant support, Hughton couldn’t guide the team to success, leading to his dismissal after Ghana’s early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Amid the ongoing search for a new head coach, recent reports indicate a potential return for Otto Addo.
Discussions within the GFA suggest that the former Black Stars player is being considered for the position, with the possibility of him assuming the role before the end of February.
Ace sports journalist Bright Kankam Boadu has asserted that the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Peter Twumasi, would face imprisonment if the government were truly committed to combating corruption and the misuse of public funds.
Kankam Boadu made these remarks during an interview on Pure FM, where he criticised Professor Twumasi for incompetence and financial mismanagement.
He stated that both Professor Twumasi and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif lack a clear plan or vision for sports development, implying that their leadership is ineffective and unreliable.
“He is the biggest joker. If Ghana was a proper country, he would be in jail by now. Professor Twumasi would be in prison if we were a serious country. To date, we still cannot find the pick-up vehicle. That man has nothing to offer. He and the sports minister have nothing good to offer Ghanaians.”.
Professor Twumasi faced criticism following his testimony before the Public Accounts Committee, where he was reprimanded by the committee chairman for disregarding directives from the Minister of Youth and Sports.
The chairman raised concerns about the transfer status of Tieku Alexander, the Central Regional Director of the NSA, who was supposed to relocate from Cape Coast to the Eastern Region but failed to comply.
In response, Minister Mustapha Ussif explained that he ordered Tieku’s transfer after the latter refused to grant access to a team assigned to repair the stadium grass in Cape Coast.
“I got an expert pitch maintenance officer, and then I made a recommendation to the director general that the director general should ensure that once that Independence Day celebration is done, we get more hands in addition to the original people who are maintaining the pitch so that we can put the pitch in shape for the match to be able to take place,” the minister told the committee.
He stated that the pitch maintenance expert from Right to Dream Academy arrived at Cape Coast to carry out his duty but was denied access by the regional director despite his intervention in the matter.
“The young man came to Cape Coast and when he went to the regional director, the regional director said that he had not received instructions from the director general and because of that, he wouldn’t allow the man to go there.
“Then I personally called him, and I said, Listen, I am the Minister for Sports. I directed the director general to get this young man to help those who are already working there because I’ve identified him as a very good person.
“Then I called the director general to say I had called your regional director. the young man is there, so make sure that he gives him access to support them and put the place in shape because in the next two weeks we will be playing a match.
“All the instructions I gave, they did not take those instructions. Then it became a very big problem and we had to reschedule the match to Kumasi,” he said.
The minister explained that he later called for a meeting where he issued the instructions for Mr Tieku’s transfer in response to the “disrespect” of disobeying his instructions.
“I gave instructions and those instructions were not taken,” he added.
Mr. Tieku defended himself by pointing out a discrepancy in the transfer letter he received. While the heading indicated a transfer to the head office, the body of the letter stated relocation to the Eastern Region. He sought clarification from the director general, who instructed him to remain in Cape Coast.
Although Mr. Tieku acknowledged signing the transfer letter, Professor Twumasi informed the committee that he instructed the regional director to stay in Cape Coast due to upcoming matches scheduled to be played there.
“I asked him to support the home matches that we were playing there because it was very critical. We needed to honour those home matches and at the time it required a lot of attention and somebody very much experienced until we rectified the issue that he raised,” he justified.
Mr. Twumasi characterised the situation as a complete misunderstanding rather than a matter of disrespect towards the minister.
Following further questioning of the NSA director general, the committee chairman concluded that, despite issuing Mr. Tieku’s transfer letter, Prof. Twumasi had bypassed the minister’s instructions. He had instructed the regional director to remain on Cape Coast.
“You are not actually respecting the minister at all; you are actually undermining the minister. It is not good. No, Mr Twumasi it is not good,” the chairman said.
While noting the similar occurrences with Mr Twumasi’s appearances before the committee, the chairman directed that Mr Tieku move to the Eastern Region with immediate effect in fulfilment of the transfer letter.
President of theGhana Football Association (GFA),Kurt Okraku, revealed plans to extend a long-term contract to the incoming Black Stars coach.
This declaration came during a press briefing in Kumasi, where Okraku addressed the nation’s dissatisfaction with Ghana’s performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
As GFA President for over four years, Okraku is spearheading the search for the team’s fifth head coach.
“When we find the new set of trainers, it is our collective decision to stay with them for the long haul and all our national teams,” he stated.
Following Ghana’s disappointing exit from the tournament, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) decided to part ways with Chris Hughton and his coaching staff, signalling the start of the search for a new coach.
To streamline the process, the GFA formed a five-member search committee assigned to identify the new coach within a three-week period.
The committee reportedly received over 600 applications for the position.
Ghana’s premature exit from the tournament occurred after the team finished third in a group that included Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
The Black Stars faced a setback with a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde, followed by consecutive 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique, ultimately leading to their elimination from the competition
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed Prof. Joseph Kwame Mintah as its new Technical Director, succeeding Bernhard Lippert, the former German technical director whose contract expired in 2023.
Prof. Mintah brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the GFA’s Director of Coaching Education and as the psychologist for the Black Stars national team.
His impressive academic credentials include a doctorate degree in Education with a specialization in Sport Psychology, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Physical Education from the University of Northern Iowa, USA.
Prof. Mintah also holds an Elite CAF Instructors “A” Licence Certificate from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), further highlighting his expertise in the field.
In addition to his administrative roles, Prof. Mintah has practical coaching experience, having served as an Interim Assistant Coach for the Ghana Black Stars during the 2014 AFCON Qualifiers and as head coach of the Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs in the Ghana Premier League from 2010 to 2014.
Outside of football, Prof. Mintah is a distinguished academic, currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Education at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
His passion for the sport dates back to his playing days, where he represented various clubs, including Mysterious Dwarfs FC, Venomous Vipers FC, Diamond Stars FC, and Hafiz Stars FC, in addition to his tenure with the University of Cape Coast men’s soccer team from 1986 to 1990.
General Secretary of theGhana Football Association (GFA), Prosper Harrison Addo, has revealed that former Black Stars head coach James Kwasi Appiah has been offered a different role in the process of appointing a new Black Stars coach.
Despite his extensive experience, Kwesi Appiah was not included in the Ghana Football Association’s search committee tasked with finding the next Black Stars coach, sparking concerns about the committee’s composition.
Harrison Addo clarified that Kwasi Appiah will still have a say in the decision-making process after the search committee submits their recommendations.
Furthermore, Harrison Addo explained that Kwesi Appiah’s involvement in the decision-making process is due to his position as an executive council member of the FA.
“The committee working to select the coach will submit their report to the executive council,” he revealed during the GFA’s press conference on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
“As a member of the GFA EXCO, Kwasi Appiah will bepart of the deliberations and decision-making before we announce a new coach,” he added.
GFA’s search committee comprises notable figures including Mark Addo, the vice president of the GFA; legal practitioner Kojo Addae Mensah, Group CEO of Databank Group; professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Director of Coaching Education of the GFA; Ghana football legend Opoku Nti; and William Caesar Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
They were tasked with submitting their report to the GFA by February 2, 2024.
The vacancy for the Black Stars head coach position arose following the dismissal of Chris Hughton.
Hughton’s departure came after a dismal performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team failed to secure a single victory and exited the group stage with only two points.
In light of the team’s disappointing showing and the ambition to clinch an AFCON title, the GFA emphasised in a statement the need for a “proven winner” to helm the team.
Additionally, qualities sought in the new coach include demonstrated ability in team reconstruction, organisation, and nurturing young talent, as well as being a disciplinarian and possessing strong leadership and tactical skills.
According to Kingston, Gyan has not fully recovered from the hurt of being replaced as captain, a position he believes was taken from him against his will.
He emphasised that Gyan’s lingering anguish becomes evident whenever he discusses the circumstances surrounding the loss of the armband.
“Look at someone like Asamoah Gyan; Dede Ayew got the captaincy by force so if you are speaking to Asamoah now, he is not happy,” he told Graphic Sports.
Before the 2019 AFCON tournament, former Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah appointed Asamoah Gyan as the general captain while officially designating Andre Dede Ayew as the team’s captain.
Defending his decision, which faced criticism, especially after Ghana’s early elimination from the tournament, Kwesi Appiah asserted that he believed he made the correct choice.
“It is about doing the right thing. I couldn’t have stripped Gyan of the captaincy and given it to Christian Atsu (or any junior player). Whoever deserves to take over, you give it to him,” he told Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K49cRj09fpo
Laryea Kingston, too, experienced disappointment when he was omitted from Ghana’s squads for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments, ultimately retiring from international football without ever participating in the prestigious event.
Reflecting on his past, he admitted that he harboured resentment towards the team for some time but has since found a way to move on.
“Myself, what they did to me for so many years, I never supported the Black Stars but just recently I sat down and said, It’s over; let me focus, he said.
Laryea Kingston’s name has emerged as one of the recommendedcandidates for the vacant Black Stars coaching position. Many observers see the former Hearts of Oak player as being on a promising trajectory in his coaching career and believe he has the potential to excel in the role.
Saddick Adams, one of the organisers of the ‘Fix Ghana Football’ demonstration scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, discovered that his access to the GFA’s Twitter account had been restricted on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
In a social media post, Saddick sought clarification from the President and Communications Director of the GFA regarding the block.
In response to Saddick’s inquiry, Prosper Harrison Addo apologised to the journalist and explained that the block was made in error. He assured Saddick that the issue was promptly rectified after being brought to the attention of the GFA.
“Dear @SaddickAdams, my brother. This was an error and was corrected immediately when it came to our attention. Apologies for this mishap, my brother. Talk to you immediately after meeting the press,” Prosper Harrison Addo stated on X.
Dear @SaddickAdams, my brother. This was an error and was corrected immediately it came to our attention. Apologies for this mishap, my brother. Talk to you immediately after the Meet The Press https://t.co/ughbuKcrvZ
Saddick Adams is among a group of esteemed journalists deeply troubled by the ongoing decline in Ghanaian football. They seek answers from theGhana Football Association (GFA), National Sports Authority, and Ministry of Youth and Sports through a planned protest.
The Ghana Police Service has granted them permission to carry out the protest on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024.
The group comprises prominent figures such as Countryman Songo, Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, Veronica Commey, and Dan Kwaku Yeboah, among others.
Saddick Adams, the head of sports at Angel Broadcasting Network in Accra, has been blocked by the official Twitter account of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Saddick, who is one of the organisers of the ‘Fix Ghana Football’ demonstration scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, brought this development to light.
In a post on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Saddick sought clarification from the President and Communications Director of the GFA regarding the blocking.
He emphasised that he has never resorted to using abusive language towards the FA in his campaign for accountability and the revitalization of Ghanaian football. Therefore, he expressed confusion over the decision to block him.
Saddick Adams also sarcastically thanked the manager of the GFA’s Twitter account for the action taken.
Dear my brothers @kurtokraku and @MistarHAT I have never used any offensive words or abused or even tagged GFA on this space. I follow this handle to access information. Whoever is in charge of the handle that has blocked me, thank you very much.”.
As mentioned earlier, Saddick Adams is among the prominent sports journalists leading demonstrations to express their frustration over the state of Ghana football.
This group of respected journalists is deeply concerned about the continual decline of Ghanaian football and aims to use the protest as a platform to demand accountability from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the National Sports Authority, and Ministry of Youth and Sports.
They have obtained permission from the Ghana Police Service to conduct the protest on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024.
Notable figures within the group include Countryman Songo, Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, Veronica Commey, and Dan Kwaku Yeboah, among others.
Former Ghana assistant coachGeorge Boateng has expressed interest in the vacant head coach position following Chris Hughton’s departure, as reported by Ghanasoccernet.
Boateng, who served as assistant coach under the last two Ghanaian head coaches, believes he is well-equipped to lead the team.
Despite facing competition from over 600 other coaches, Boateng remains confident in his abilities, citing his extensive experience and deep understanding of the team’s dynamics.
Having previously worked alongside Otto Addo and Chris Hughton, Boateng brings valuable experience to the table.
Despite Ghana’s disappointing performance at AFCON 2023, Boateng remains positive about his chances.
Ghana Football Association set a deadline of February 2, 2024, for applications, with a five-member committee currently reviewing submissions and conducting interviews to select thenext head coach.
The search for a new coach by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for theGhana national team, the Black Stars, continues after the dismissal of Chris Hughton.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday in Kumasi to discuss matters related to the national team and the sport in general.
Anticipation is high as the FA addresses the selection of the next coach, with over 600 applications received.
With the next international assignment approaching in March, the FA is expected to shed light on the technical leadership of the Black Stars.
To aid in the selection process, the GFA has formed a committee led by Vice President Mark Addo.
The committee aims to appoint a coach who embodies a winning mentality, aligns with Ghana’s football philosophy, and resonates with the national team’s ethos.
Among the applicants are notable figures such as former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath, ex-West Ham coach Nikola Jurcevic, and former Black Stars assistant coach Maxwell Konadu.
Other applicants include former Bibiani Goldstars coach Michael Osei.
Christiana Atsu Twasam, the twin sister of the late Black Stars player Christian Atsu, has announced plans for the establishment of the Christian Atsu Memorial Foundation.
The launch is set for March 2024, although the specific date has not been finalised. The foundation aims to honour Atsu’s legacy and perpetuate his philanthropic efforts, which endeared him to many beyond his achievements in football.
“We’ll launch the Christian Atsu Memorial Foundation in March to continue his charity work,” she told the Athletic.
Christiana confirmed that she had fronted her brother’s school project, which he was building for the less privileged before his passing.
“I have the baton to continue his work, but it’s not easy. I have to heal first,” says Christiana.
Regarding how she is holding up the loss, Christiana says his brother’s death has hit her harder than losing her mom and dad.
“I know grieving has five stages, but I don’t know where I am at the moment. Sometimes I’m in denial, sometimes acceptance; it fluctuates and I feel like I’m not progressing. I’ve lost my mom and my dad, but Christian’s leaving has had more impact on me than anything.
She added that on her birthday, which also happens to be Christian’s birthday, she changed scenery to escape her grief but she ended up breaking down.
“I went to Chester. But I broke down there. He was not there.”
Christian Atsu passed away following a tragic earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under the rubble for about three days before he was found lifeless on February 8, 2023.
Former Ghanaian footballer Laryea Kingston has expressed his eagerness to take on the position of the next coach for the Black Stars if presented with the chance.
Following the dismissal of Chris Hughton and his coaching staff due to Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, the coaching role for the Black Stars became available.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Laryea Kingston conveyed his belief in his capabilities to lead the Black Stars.
He highlighted his vast experience and deep understanding of the prerequisites for achieving success at the international level.
Laryea Kingston said, “Of course, I will accept and do it easy. I know the level at which I am now,” highlighting his readiness to become the next Black Stars coach.
Laryea Kingston, who currently serves as the Assistant Coach of the Black Starlets, accumulated 42 appearances for the Black Stars, during which he scored six goals.
Roberto Donadoni, an Italian coach, has shown interest in taking over as the next coach of Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars.
The coaching position for the Black Stars became available after Chris Hughton and his technical team were dismissed following Ghana’s poor performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
Reports indicate that Donadoni, who has previously coached the Italy national team and managed nine other clubs, is interested in leading the Black Stars.
Donadoni’s coaching career began in 2001, and he reached a career high when he was appointed as the head coach of the Italy national team.
During his tenure, Italy made it to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, where they were defeated by eventual champion Spain in a penalty shootout.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has tasked a committee with finding a successor within three weeks, with applications accepted until February 2, 2024.
GFA has set specific criteria, including a minimum of 15 years of coaching experience, for candidates vying for the Black Stars’ head coach position.
Advocates believe there is a pool of talented coaches within Ghana capable of leading the Black Stars.
When the coaching vacancy was announced, several Ghanaian coaches, including Maxwell Konadu, expressed their interest in the position. Maxwell Konadu, a former Asante Kotoko coach, applied for the job last week, aspiring to fulfil his dream of coaching the national team.
Konadu previously served as an assistant to Kwasi Appiah in 2012 and worked with him during the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Following Kwasi Appiah’s dismissal in September 2014, Konadu took over as the Black Stars’ acting coach, successfully guiding the team to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
He later served as Avram Grant’s assistant until Grant’s termination after the 2017 AFCON.
Coach Kwasi Appiah’s reappointment as head coach saw Konadu continue as part of the coaching staff alongside Ibrahim Tanko.
Additionally, Konadu was a member of Milovan Rajevac’s technical team during the 2021 AFCON, where the team exited at the group stage.
Michael Osei
The former Asante Kotoko player has confirmed that he has applied for the Black Stars, as he believes that his time is now.
“Yes, I have applied for the job because I believe that with everything I’ve learned, I am capable of coaching the squad.
“Looking at the team, there are a number of young players like Majeed Ashimeru, Enerst Nuamah, Osman Bukari, and many of the current players who I have coached at the U23 level alongside coach Ibrahim Tanko.
“I’ve been coaching in Ghana for about 12 years, totalling nearly 15 years of coaching experience. Ghana is also my home country, so I understand the culture, have the expertise, and believe now is the time to coach the squad and I’m always a winner.”
Michael Osei, who has previously managed clubssuch as Asante Kotoko and Liberty Professionals and served as an assistant at FSV Frankfurt II, submitted his application for the coaching position.
His most recent coaching role was with Bibiani Goldstars. The deadline for submitting applications, which was set for February 2, 2024, has now passed.
Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has indicated plans to build a new Black Stars team around homegrown footballers if elected President in the 2024 elections.
The decision comes in response to Ghana’s disappointing performance at the recent African Cup of Nations, where the team exited the competition at the group stage for the second consecutive time.
Former President Mahama attributed the Black Stars‘ poor performance to the absence of colts football, which plays a crucial role in developing footballers at the early stages.
“We just came from the Africa Cup of Nations, and we performed abysmally. We performed abysmally because we are not growing our football,” observed Mahama.
“Before we used to have the colts and every district used to organize its colts’ league and they picked the prominent players from there. We used to have the academicals where the schools played against each other and we picked the promising players from there before we come to U-17 and then all the other age groups. Unfortunately, all that has collapsed and so we are going to work with the Football Association to start catching them young so that we can train them and give them to local teams to get experience.”
During a community engagement at Bongo as part of the NDC’s “Building Ghana Tour,” John Dramani Mahama addressed the community’s request for the construction of an astro turf for football development.
The NDC flagbearer pledged that if elected, together with the Ghana Football Association, they will build the Black Stars with homegrown players. Mahama emphasized the importance of nurturing talent at the grassroots level and did not discount the possibility of blending them with some foreign-based Ghanaian players.
“We will build a new Black Stars based on homegrown players, domestic players who have trained together for a long term and work as a team and then we bring the foreign ones to come and blend with them. If you bring only foreign-based players who don’t play together, they play in their individual teams and then when there’s time for competition you bring them and tell them to play it won’t work,” he added.
“We will build a new Black Stars based on homegrown players, domestic players who have trained together for a long term and work as a team and then we bring the foreign ones to come and blend with them. If you bring only foreign-based players who don’t play together, they play in their individual teams and then when there’s time for competition you bring them and tell them to play it won’t work,” he added.
Ghana’s aspirations of securing French coach Herve Renard as the head coach for the Black Stars have faced a significant setback, with reports indicating that Renard has reached an agreement with Egypt.
Multiple credible sources suggest that Renard is on the brink of being appointed as the next head coach of Egypt.
According to these reports, Renard, currently in charge of the French women’s team, has verbally committed to the Egyptian Football Association to assume the coaching role after the 2024 Olympic Games.
During the Olympics, he is set to lead France’s women’s national team.
Renard’s name has been prominently featured in Ghanaian media since the coaching vacancy arose on January 24, 2024.
Following Chris Hughton’s dismissal, who led Ghana in the 2023 AFCON, where they failed to secure a single victory, the search for a new coach has been underway.
The Black Stars’ disappointing performance in the AFCON included a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in the opening game and 2-2 draws with Egypt and Mozambique in the subsequent group matches.
With just two points and a goal deficit, Ghana experienced another early exit from the AFCON, mirroring their fate in the 2021 edition.
Former Ghana assistant coach, Maxwell Konadu, has submitted an application for the vacant coaching position of the Black Stars, as reported by JoySports.
Maxwell Konadu, who is currently the head coach of Nsoatreman FC, boasts extensive coaching experience, particularly in his role as the assistant coach of the Ghana national team from 2012 to 2022. With over 10 years of experience, he has been part of the coaching staff during Ghana’s four appearances in the FIFA World Cup.
During his tenure as assistant coach, Konadu worked alongside Kwasi Appiah, contributing to the team’s campaigns in the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Maxwell Konadu, the former Ghana assistant coach, has applied for the vacant Black Stars coaching position. Konadu, who has over a decade of coaching experience, served as the stop-gap manager when Kwasi Appiah was sacked in September 2014. During his interim role, he guided the team to qualify for the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea before Avram Grant was appointed.
Konadu continued as assistant to Grant until February 2017. He also worked with the team during Kwasi Appiah’s second stint from April 2017 to December 2019, partnering with Ibrahim Tanko. After a break from February 2020 to September 2021, he returned as an assistant to Milovan Rajevac in September 2021.
With extensive experience in coaching the national team, Maxwell Konadu believes he can transition into the head coach role and contribute effectively. The Black Stars head coach position became vacant following the dismissal of Chris Hughton after Ghana’s disappointing performance at AFCON 2023.
The Ghana Football Association requested CVs from interested candidates, and the application deadline was on February 2, 2024. The shortlisting process is yet to be disclosed, but sources suggest that both Maxwell Konadu and Michael Osei are among the indigenous coaches who have applied for the job.
However, one of the criteria is the UEFA Pro coaching license, which both Maxwell and Osei might lack. Nevertheless, they, like many other coaches on the continent, hold the CAF license A, the highest standard required to manage a national team at its competitions.
The final funeral rites for Ghanaian football star Raphael Dwamena, who passed away in Albania, are set to occur on Friday, February 16, 2024.
The ceremony will be held at the Adjirigano Astro Turf in Accra.
Raphael Dwamena, aged 28, faced a heart condition, leading to the insertion of a defibrillator. However, in 2022, he made a ‘personal decision’ to remove it.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, November 11, 2023, when he suffered cardiac failure during a game for KF Egnatia against Partizani in the Albanian league, leading to his untimely death in the 24th minute.
Known for his talent, Dwamena made his international debut for the Black Stars of Ghana on June 11, 2017, in a match against Ethiopia.
The whole technical team of the Black Stars had to leave after a disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is now looking for a new coach and has set February 2, 2024, as the deadline for coaches to submit their applications.
Local reports suggest that the Serbian coach has applied for the position, wanting to have a second chance with the national team.
Goran Stevanovic managed the Black Stars from 2011 to 2012, leading them to the semifinals of the continental competition.
At 57 years old, he has experience managing various clubs, including Cukaricki Partizan and Qingdao Jonoon.
A consortium of sports journalists has obtained approval from the Ghana Police Service to stage a demonstration against the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, addressing concerns about the declining standards of football in Ghana.
Citi Sports has verified that the Ghana Police Service will issue an official statement at 14:00 GMT today, revealing details about the demonstration route.
Among the prominent members of the group are esteemed sports journalists Veronica Commey, Saddick Adams, and Patrick Osei Agyemang.
Commey expressed her frustrations regarding the deteriorating state of Ghanaian football during a segment on Citi FM’s Sports Panorama.
Scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, the demonstration aims to voice discontent over the current state of football in Ghana and is set to transpire in the capital, Accra.
According to Saddick Adams, the event is “a peaceful walk to present a petition” that the passion of thenation—football—is dying and that “there is no hate” but a “positive anger” to change the state of affairs.
The planned demonstration comes on the heels of Ghana’s first-round exit from the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, which had the Black Stars fail to win a game in three outings.
Dede Ayew reacts to Ghana’s 2-2 draw with Mozambique
For the second consecutive AFCON edition, Ghana has been eliminated in the group stage.
The 2021 AFCON marked the nadir of Ghana’s performance in the history of the competition, securing just a single point.
The position of head coach for theGhanaBlack Stars has been vacant for a week after the dismissal of Irish manager Chris Hughton.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is now accepting applications, and reports suggest that among the applicants is former German footballer Jurgen Kholer.
Jurgen Kholer is seen as a leading candidate to succeed Chris Hughton as the Black Stars’ head coach. Kholer had an illustrious playing career, featuring for top European clubs Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus.
He notably played a key role in Germany’s 1990 World Cup victory, contributing to their defense.
After retiring as a player in 2002, Kholer transitioned to coaching. Starting with the Germany U-21 national team, he has accumulated 17 years of coaching experience.
Despite his successful playing career, his coaching journey has included managing clubs like MSV Duisburg, Aalen, Bonner, EGC Wirges, Hauenstein, Alfter, Viktoria Koln U-19, and Viktoria Koln (caretaker).
While Ivory Coast expressed interest in hiring him in 2006, Kholer declined the offer.
Despite his coaching experience, he has not securedany trophies and has been without a coaching position since 2019.
He deleted nearly all his Instagram posts, including ones related to the Black Stars, and kept images from his current club, Besiktas.
Rumors circulated that Amartey was unhappy, especially since he did not get much game time during the 2023 AFCON and deleted the images while in the Black Stars camp.
However, he clarified that the decision to remove his posts had nothing to do with being sidelined by the Black Stars coach.
“Why would I delete my Black Stars pictures from my Instagram? It would be so childish. Everyone who knows me knows I am not a social media person; it’s all part of life, and it’s not because of the coach’s decision not to field me,” he said, as quoted by Happyghana.com.
During the AFCON, Daniel Amartey, who had been a regular starter in almost all the qualifying games, found himself on the bench for all three group stage matches.
He only got to play about 10 minutes, entering the field in the final moments of Ghana’s 2-2 draw against Mozambique.
Ghana concluded the group stage in third place with two draws and one defeat, conceding a total of six goals and failing to advance to the next round.
Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has advocated for the halt of all budgetary allocations to the Black Stars.
This suspension, he suggests, should pave the way for an impartial forensic audit of the expenditures related to their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Ablakwa emphasised that this suspension of financial allocations should extend to the current efforts to seek a new head coach, replacing Chris Hughton.
The call for an independent forensic audit reflects concerns about the transparency and accountability of the funds allocated to the national football team during the AFCON tournament.
“It is clear to me that the only way out of this grand mess is to immediately curtail any further expenditure on the Black Stars, including that ill-advised, rushed and misguided search for a new coach, and to urgently commission an independent forensic audit.
“Parliament must also assert its constitutional oversight authority when the House resumes. These outlandish breakdowns, illegalities and insulting opacity must be probed and sanctioned; we cannot afford to let the people down.”
His unwavering stance follows his interception of letters purportedly from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Finance Minister, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department detailing the expenditure of the Black Stars during their unsuccessful AFCON campaign in Cote d’Ivoire.
On Monday, the lawmaker shared a letter from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the Finance Ministry, requesting a substantial amount of US$8 million as a budget, causing public outcry.
Subsequently, on January 30, he released two documents claiming to confirm payments of the requested amount. One document, supposedly from the Minister for Finance to the Controller and Accountant General, instructed the release of a partial payment of US$5,071,840.36, equivalent to GHS60,306,717.80, out of the budgeted US$8,506,450.00.
The document detailed expenses, including GHS15.3 million for the Black Stars’ preparation days before AFCON, GHS14 million for air transport and per diem, GHS14 million for provision for Group stage bonuses, and GHS2.1 million for honorarium.
A bank transfer advice from the Controller and Accountant General confirmed the release of funds to the Ministry of Sports.
Ablakwa also alleged the existence of a separate budget for the supporters of the Black Stars, further adding to the controversy surrounding the team’s financial management.
“Deep throat sources inform me that the budget was managed by National Security. Nothing will stop us from demanding full accountability on this too,” he noted.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) reacted to the publication of the budget by the legislator, calling it cheap politics.
“He should concentrate on his job of passing bills in Parliament and stop engaging in small, cheap politics in football. It is not the best,” Nana Oduro Sarfo, an Executive Council member of the GFA is quoted as saying by JoyNews.
Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew, has issued a heartfelt apology for the team’s disappointing performance at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
Despite being in Group B, the Black Stars failed to advance to the round of 16, managing only two points from three games.
The team suffered a 1-2 defeat to Cape Verde and secured 2-2 draws against Mozambique and Egypt, leading to an early exit from the competition for the second consecutive edition.
The lacklustre performance sparked criticism from Ghanaians, who expressed frustration over the team’s perceived lack of drive and patriotism.
In response to the backlash, veteran forward Ayew took to video to express a sincere apology for the Stars’ AFCON 2023 campaign.
He assured fans that the team is committed to restoring Ghana’s pride, promising to elevate the national flag to its rightful place.
“I would like to apologise for the results in the AFCON that we just exited. We know that we should have done better and that we should have brought better results to the nation. As the captain of the squad, I take full responsibility for what happened on the pitch.”
“For the playing body , we should have done better,” he added to the apology released exactly a week after Ghana’s elimination from the 2023 AFCON was confirmed.
Captain of the Black Stars, Andre Dede Ayew, has issued a formal apology for Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), acknowledging that the team fell short of expectations.
In a video message, the Le Havre player expressed regret for the team’s early exit from the tournament, stating, “These past days have been very difficult for every Ghanaian football fan and myself.
I would like to apologize for the results at the AFCON that we just exited; we know that we should have done better.”
Taking full responsibility as the squad captain, Dede Ayew admitted that the team’s showing, marked by a winless campaign with a loss to Cape Verde and draws against Egypt and Mozambique, did not meet the nation’s expectations.
“In football, these are things that happen; it makes you stronger. What doesn’t kill you always makes you a stronger person, individually and collectively. We are Ghana and never going to give up… we shall rise and shine again as a family,” he emphasized.
Dede Ayew, who made an appearance in the final group game against Mozambique, acknowledged setbacks as a norm in football but emphasized that they should serve as a stepping stone to better performances in the future.
He concluded his apology by addressing the sentiments of disappointed fans, stating, “We understand the anger, backlash, everything that came to us; we take it, and we will make sure that we put our flag back where it belongs.”
The national team’s failure to progress beyond the group stage led to widespread disappointment among fans, prompting key squad members, including Dede Ayew, to publicly express remorse and commitment to a stronger comeback.
Dede Ayew apologizes to Ghanaians for Black Stars' performance at 2023 AFCON
The Ghana Football Association has extended its apologies to Ghanaians and all stakeholders for the recent disappointing performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023.
The GFA on January 30 admitted that Ghana’s performance fell short of the high expectations “we all share, and we take full responsibility for the disappointment.”
Following a meeting of the Executive Council of the Association and Chairmen of the RFAs on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the GFA assured all stakeholders that the requisite steps are being taken to address the issues at hand, and a thorough review of the team’s strategies, training, compensation, and overall structure is underway.
“We value the unwavering support of our stakeholders, and we commit to working tirelessly with you to ensure a stronger and more competitive team. Your loyalty and passion are the driving forces behind our efforts to rebuild and elevate the standard of Ghanaian football.
“We appreciate your understanding during this challenging time and remain dedicated to restoring the pride and success we all desire for the Ghana Black Stars. Together, we will emerge stronger and more resilient,” the GFA added.
Ghana failed to progress from the group stage of the ongoing tournament in Ivory Coast. Following this, many stakeholders called on the GFA to render an unqualified apology to Ghanaians for the bad performance. The GFA has finally done so, a week after Black Stars’ exit.
GFA’s long-awaited apology comes at a time when it is facing public scrutiny for budgeting an amount of $8.5million for the senior national team without Parliamentary approval.
Dede Ayew apologizes to Ghanaians for Black Stars' performance at 2023 AFCON
Ghana’s Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew, has finally opened up about the challenging period following the team’s exit from the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), expressing remorse and taking responsibility for the disappointing results.
In a video message sighted on social media, the Le Havre player acknowledges the difficulty faced not only by himself but every Ghanaian football fan in the aftermath of the AFCON campaign.
He extended a heartfelt apology for the team’s underwhelming performance, emphasizing the collective responsibility he bears as the captain.
Ayew reflected on the team’s shortcomings during the tournament, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage, registering a winless run with losses to Cape Verde and draws against Egypt and Mozambique.
He acknowledges that better results were expected, and as the captain, he takes full responsibility for the on-field outcomes.
“In football, these are things that happen,” Ayew said as he highlighted the transformative power of challenges, adding, “What doesn’t kill you always makes you a stronger person, individually and collectively.”
Despite the disappointments, he expressed unwavering determination, asserting that Ghana, as a footballing nation, will rise again.
“We are Ghana and never going to give up… we shall rise and shine again as a family”, he noted.
He concludes by reiterating his apology and emphasizing the team’s understanding of the frustration and backlash from disappointed fans.
Ayew assures that they will work towards restoring Ghana’s football pride and reclaiming their position among the footballing elite.
“We understand the anger, backlash, everything that came to us, we take it and we will make sure that we put our flag back where it belongs.”
Dede Ayew apologizes to Ghanaians for Black Stars' performance at 2023 AFCON
Chief Executive of Databank, Kojo Addae-Mensah, has taken over from Ace Ankomah on the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) special five-member search committee responsible for selecting the new head coach for the Black Stars.
The committee, led by GFA Vice President Mark Addo, includes Professor Joseph Mintah, Sports Ministry Chief Director William Caesar Kartey, and Ghanaian football legend Opoku Nti.
GFA has given the search committee a three-week timeframe to recommend the next Black Stars coach to the Executive Council for approval.
The quest for a new head coach began following the immediate dismissal of Chris Hughton, who was unable to guide the Black Stars beyond the group stages at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a prior statement, the Ghana Football Association announced a deadline of February 2, 2024, for prospective applicants to apply for the vacant coaching role.
The GFA has outlined five criteria that the new head coach must meet, including having at least 15 years of coaching experience. These criteria will be essential for the individual selected to lead the Black Stars.
Gospel artist Cwesi Oteng is gearing up to compose a distinctive victory anthem for the Black Stars of Ghana, aiming to deviate from the popular jama songs associated with the team.
In a video shared by Zionfelix.net, Oteng expressed his belief that his upcoming song would possess a unique spiritual essence and a lion’s spirit.
Emphasising his desire to make the anthem a cultural mainstay for the Black Stars, Oteng asserted that the song would be a source of inspiration for the team, encouraging them to listen to it repeatedly.
Notably, the acclaimed musician has expressed interest in securing a four-year contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for this venture.
Furthermore, Oteng revealed his financial terms, asserting that he would require a fee of $100,000 before composing the anthem.
Urging Ghanaian authorities to engage with him for a potential collaboration, Cwesi Oteng is poised to bring his musical prowess to the realm of sports, aiming to create an iconic anthem for the national football team.
Aspiring coaches of the Black Stars team have up to Friday, February 2, 2024, to submit their applications to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
This was contained in a report on the GFA website.
The said report indicated that the Committee tasked to search for a new Black Stars Head Coach has set Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11:59pm as the final deadline for the submission of applications for the job.
Following the dismissal of former Black Stars Coach, Chris Hughton, the GFA Executive Committee tasked a five-member Committee headed by GFA Vice President Mark Addo to look for a new national team Coach for the Senior Men’s National Team (Black Stars).
The Committee was also mandated to target suitable and competent coaches for consideration even if they don’t apply for the post.
The Search Committee therefore reminds coaches who are interested in coaching the Black Stars to send their applications including the curriculum vitae or resume, mission statement to the Search Committee to the email address: recruitment@ghanafa.org before the deadline above.
JOB DESCRIPTION – HEAD COACH
The Head Coach shall oversee the overall management of the Senior Men’s National Team including the selection of players, tactical planning of training and games, and the performance of the Black Stars.
The Head Coach shall be responsible for the general technical direction and supervision of the Black Stars.
The Head Coach shall be required to build the capacity of the Technical Team of the Black Stars.
The Head Coach must be knowledgeable about latest trends and innovations in football tactics and development.
The Head Coach must have a football philosophy that aligns with or compliments the GFA’s DNA.
The Head Coach should collaborate with the Technical Directorate to identify and develop young talents for the national teams.
The Head Coach must have the ability to scout new talent for the national team and should be able to travel in-country or international to monitor players performances.
The Head Coach shall be required to undertake media engagements including but not limited to calling of squads, pre-match and post-match interviews.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Head Coach should be a proven winner in coaching Top Men’s National Teams or Club Football.
Must hold the highest football license in the world with 15 years football experience.
Proven track record in team reconstruction, organization and development of young in talent.
Proven disciplinarian, tactician with strong leadership skills.
Black Stars winger Osman Bukari has offered an apology following Ghana’s underwhelming performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
Ghana was eliminated in the group stage after securing only two points out of a possible nine.
Bukari, acknowledging the team’s disappointing showing, expressed his regret and admitted his contribution to the setback.
Despite the setback, he assured fans that the team would redouble their efforts and come back stronger in the next tournament.
See Osman Bukari’s post below
It has taken me quite a number of days to gather the words to address you, our dear fans, because of the embarrassment we brought on the nation & the fact that we let you down. Our inability to advance to the next stage has hit heavily on me, for I contributed a part in it.
It has taken me quite a number of days to gather the words to address you our dear fans, because of the embarrassment we brought on the nation & the fact that we let you down and our inability to advance to the next stage has hit heavily on me, for I contributed a part in it. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/Z1yJjZGOjr
I would like to render an unqualified apology for the mistakes and assure you that we will come back better and stronger for the team and the country. I hope and ask that you forgive us. We live to fight someday. Thank y’all for the encouragement, love and support!!
Ghanaians have taken the captain of the Black Stars, Andre Dede Ayew, to the gutters over a recent remark he made on his social media page.
Dede Ayew, after scoring two beautiful goals in his first game for his club, Le Havre, following Black Stars defeat in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), posted a photo of himself and other Le Havre players, asking Ghanaians: “So, was I the problem in the Black Stars squad?”
“That’s out of question! What about your goalkeeper? Black stars are not good enough to progress to the next level of competition. We cannot forget past history including winning FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt,” another user said.
That’s out of question! What about your goalkeeper? Black stars are not good enough to progress to the next level of competition. We cannot forget past history including winning FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
“You were never the problem. This all started when you were introduced to the black stars in 2008. Same people complained that you don’t fit to the level of black stars. You accepted and join U-20. You proved yourself. The enemy created in your dad time has not been solved,” another user said.
You were never the problem. This all started when you were introduced to the black stars in 2008. Same people complained that you don't fit to the level of black stars. You accepted and join U-20. You proved yourself. The enemy created in your dad time has not been solved
It emerged over the weekend that private legal practitioner Ace Ankomah had communicated to the Ghana Football Association his decision to reject an appointment to the committee set up to recruit the next coach of the Black Stars.
Saddick Adams of Angel Broadcasting Network reported that Ace Ankomah, who is one of five members appointed to form the committee to search for the next Black Stars coach, has rejected the appointment.
On Monday, January 29, 2024, Bright Kankam Boadu provided further clarification on why Ace Ankomah stepped down from the committee.
Kankam Boadu, reading a text supposedly from Ace Ankomah, disclosed that he resigned due to the possibility of a conflict of interest arising during the process.
“Lawyer Ace Ankomah says he resigned due to what he believes is a potential conflict of interest situation. He said the committee has not held any meetings since the announcement,” Kankam Boadu read.
The other members of the five-member committee include Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, the Director of Coaching Education at the GFA, Opoku Nti, a Ghanaian football legend; and William Caesar Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Chris Hughton faced dismissal from theGhana Football Association on Monday, January 29, 2024, following Ghana’s exit from the 2023 AFCON. The decision was made after a disastrous campaign in Ivory Coast, where Ghana failed to secure a win in three group-stage matches.
Ghana’s hopes were dashed in the final group game against Mozambique, where they needed a victory but ended up conceding two goals in added time, resulting in a 2-2 draw and elimination.
Chris Hughton took on the role of Ghana’s head coach in March 2023 after serving as a technical advisor for a year. During his nearly one-year tenure, he managed 12 games, securing four wins, four draws, and enduring four losses.
After the dismal performance of the Black Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) , several players have taken responsibility and issued apologies for the disappointment caused. Ghana’s exit from the competition occurred at the group stage, with no wins, two draws, and a defeat.
The tournament started on a disappointing note with a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde. Despite bouncing back with a two-all draw against Egypt, their chances of advancing relied on a win in the final game against Mozambique. Ghana took a 2-0 lead for 90 minutes but shockingly conceded two goals in additional minutes, resulting in a draw.
With only two points in a group considered relatively easy, the team failed to progress to the round of 16. Currently, eight players out of the 27 named for the tournament have issued apologies for the team’s embarrassing performance in Ivory Coast.
Alexander Djiku
Djiku expressed his gratitude to the Ghanaians for their support and sticking with the team.
“Words will certainly not be enough to erase the disillusionment. We are disappointed and very sorry for our Ghanaian people that we have failed at this stage of the competition, but if you only knew how grateful we are to have been supported by you, our Ghanaian fans,” he wrote on Instagram.
Mohammed Salisu
The defender for AS Monaco, Mohammed Salisu, apologised for his fight with the Ghanaian media following the last game, saying that he was insulted and intimidated, but he also conceded that the team’s performance was nothing to write home about.
“It with a deepest regret that I am writing to you about our disappointing campaign in the 2023 AFCON,” he wrote on Instagram.
“As you all know we went withthe intention of bringing the trophy home but it was rather unfortunate that we were eliminated from the tournament in the group stage. We gave absolutely everything but we were unable to secure the necessary wins to keep us in the tournament.”
“Aside all I feel so disappointed that I couldn’t help my country to regain its past glory. With full assurance, we promise to come back stronger in our next game for our beloved country.”
“My actions to the media was out of frustration. We went to the 2023 AFCON to win the trophy but things didn’t go as planned. Everyone will bear me to the fact that the last game was unacceptable so the fans have every right to criticize us but not to the extent of insult and threats. Nevertheless, I want to render an unqualified apology to whoever I offend. We never wanted this result. We will come stronger. Thank you for your tremendous support.”
Kudus Mohammed
West Ham United star Kudus Mohammed noted that the exit is a ‘hard reality’ and that the players take ‘full responsibility.’
“To the heart & soul of ???????? Ghana. In these difficult times where our only source of pride, joy & unity are our victories, we stand in solidarity with your disappointment. Falling short at my debut #AFCON23 is a hard reality we face together but as a playing body we take full responsibility. We deeply regret not meeting your hopes this time. Your enduring support is our motivation to strive in commitment to making you proud in the future,” he wrote on Instagram.
Gideon Mensah
In his apology, Gideon Mensah promised that the players will put in a lot of effort to bring back the excitement of the heyday.
“With a very heavy heart & deep thoughts after our unfortunate exit from the ongoing AFCON,. We set out on a high but disappointed our motherland and fans who’s diehard support we can never take for granted but one thing is for sure: we will keep working very hard until we bring back the Smiles & Joy,” he wrote on Instagram.
Joseph Paintsil
Joseph Painstil stated that the team have learnt important lessons and thanked the fans for the support during their low moments.
“Sincere apologies to the good people of Ghana. We are truly sorry for not meeting your expectations. Important lessons to take away from this unforgettable experience.”
“Thank you for coming through with your support in our low moments,” he wrote on Instagram.
Ernest Nuamah
Ernest Nuamah was disappointed to experience the unfortunate exit in his debut tournament
“From Asafo with high hopes & impacting dreams to a tough #AFCON23 debut lesson.This is not what we dreamt as warriors/war Chiefs (Ghana) of Africa. We are disappointed & ashamed as players but not defeated in our battles to honour what Ghana represents. Today we learn, and tomorrow we grow,” he wrote on Instagram.
Osman Bukari
The winger for Red Star Belgrade, Osman Bukari, expressed regret for his error that resulted in an equaliser during the match against Egypt, claiming that it prevented the squad from advancing to the round of 16.
“It has taken me quite a number of days to gather the words to address you our dear fans, because of the embarrassment we brought on the nation & the fact that we let you down and our inability to advance to the next stage has hit heavily on me, for I contributed a part in it.” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“I would like to render an unqualified apology for the mistakes and assure you that we will come back better and stronger for team and the country. I hope and ask that you forgive us. We live to fight someday. Thank y’all for the encouragement, love and support!!”
Majeed Ashemiru
Majeed Ashemiru declared that the nation deserved better and that the Black Stars will change history.
“Having the privilege to represent my country of birth (Ghana) has always been a childhood dream. This gives me extra motivation to fight till the end to make sure we bring joy to our fans and also to put our dear country, Ghana, where it belongs. Ghana’s Black stars deserves better and we shall rewrite our wrongs, Isha Allah. Thanks to all the amazing fans for their support and prayers. God bless and protect us all,” he wrote on Instagram.
Controversial sports journalist Patrick Osei Agyemang, popularly known as Countryman Songo, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to intervene and prevent theGhana Football Association (GFA) from proceeding with the search for the next Black Stars coach.
Following the dismissal of coach Chris Hughton after Ghana’s exit from the 2023 AFCON, the GFA established a 5-member committee, led by vice president Mark Addo, to find the next Black Stars coach.
Countryman Songo contends that the GFA has overseen the appointment of four coaches since 2019, resulting in unsatisfactory outcomes. He suggests that the GFA aims to select a coach they can easily manipulate and influence in terms of player selection.
“The government of Ghana should dissolve the committee because it’s a waste of time and taxpayers’ resources. No one should sit down and allow them to proceed with this. These are the same people who brought in Milovan, Otto Addo and now Chris Hughton, Songo stated.
He added, “They should rather be apologising to Ghanaians so we see the next way forward. They have destroyed the Black Stars and our football…”
“They want to bring their coach so that they can use him to enrich themselves with taxpayers’ monies. Akufo-Addo and Bawumia should not allow these so-called football people to search for our next coach,” Songo said on Adom TV.
FIFA World Cup winner and German football legend Jurgen Kholer has expressed interest in the vacant coaching position for the Black Stars.
Following the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) decision to dismiss Chris Hughton as the head coach of the national men’s team after their exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the Black Stars are currently without a coach.
Ghana failed to progress from Group B, which included Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique, leading to Hughton’s dismissal.
The GFA is seeking a coach with 15 years of coaching experience in either national team or club football, emphasising a proven track record of success.
Kholer, according to sources in Germany, has officially applied for the position and submitted his curriculum vitae for consideration.
At 58, Kholer is currently unattached after leaving his last role as FC Viktoria Köln manager. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence certificate and began his coaching career in 2003 after retiring from professional football in 2002.
Throughout his coaching career, Kholer has managed the German U21 team, served as the Director of Football for Bayern Leverkusen, managed MSV Duisburg, and held positions at vfR Aalen, among other clubs.
As a player, Kholer had an illustrious career, playing for renowned clubs like Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich.
With over 15 years of coaching experience, he fits the criteria set by the Ghana Football Association, bringing a proven track record in team reconstruction, talent development, and discipline.
Kholer earned the nickname “Football God” due to his qualities as a center-back during his playing days. He was a member of the German 1990 FIFA World Cup-winning team and played a pivotal role in the team’s success.
Following Ghana’s disheartening elimination from the 2023Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), defender Mohammed Salisu has issued a sincere apology to disappointed sports journalists.
The Black Stars, unable to clinch a crucial win, had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Mozambique, resulting in their premature exit from the tournament.
In the aftermath of the match, irate Ghanaians, including members of the media, voiced their dissatisfaction with the team’s performance. A widely circulated video captured Salisu engaged in a heated confrontation with journalists who had been critical of the players, even resorting to threats.
Several days after the incident, Mohammed Salisu, who has returned to his club Monaco in France, has released a heartfelt statement expressing remorse for his actions. The center-back conveyed profound regret for Ghana’s underwhelming performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and extended his apologies for the team’s overall lackluster showing in the tournament.
Salisu’s statement read, “It is with the deepest regret that I am writing to you about our disappointing campaign in the 2023 AFCON. As you all know, we went with the intention of bringing the Trophy home, but it was rather unfortunate that we were eliminated from the tournament in the group stage. We gave absolutely everything, but we were unable to secure the necessary wins to keep us in the tournament.”
Salisu continued by offering a sincere and unconditional apology to anyone he might have offended. He underscored the team’s dedication to coming back stronger in future competitions. The statement also expressed gratitude to the supporters for their unwavering backing throughout the tournament.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s coach, Chris Hughton, has been relieved of his duties by the Ghana Football Association (AFCON). A committee has been promptly established to actively seek a suitable replacement. The nation is now focused on rebuilding and reclaiming its footballing prowess in forthcoming tournaments.
Acknowledging the frustration felt by both players and fans, Salisu explained, “My actions towards the media were out of frustration. We went to the 2023 AFCON to win the trophy, but things didn’t go as planned. Everyone will bear me witness; the last game was unacceptable, so the fans have every right to criticize us but not to the extent of insult and threats.”
After a series of attempts, the Red and Black sides have successfully reached an agreement to acquire the Ghanaian defender during the current transfer window.
Clermont Foot had initially rejected three offers from Rennais before both parties came to terms on a deal.
Having showcased his skills with fellow Ligue 1 club, Clermont Foot, the Black Stars defender is anticipated to play a significant role for his new team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7TeJnLeGYc
Seidu’s transfer to Rennais is reportedly for a fee of 11 million Euros, along with additional bonuses.
The official unveiling is expected to take place after the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Seidu, part of the Black Stars squad that faced challenges in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, exited the championship in the group stage without securing a victory.
Despite the team’s performance, the 23-year-old Ghanaian defender has been exceptional in the current campaign for Clermont Foot, making 14 appearances and contributing one assist for the club.
Lawyer Ace Ankomah (Esq.) has reportedly withdrawn from the five-member committee responsible for finding the next coach for the Black Stars.
Initially appointed as the vice chairman of the committee, with GFA Vice President Mark Addo as the chairperson, Ace Ankomah (Esq.) decided to step back from his role.
The committee comprises the Director of Coaching Education at the GFA, Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Ghana football legend Opoku Nti, and William Caesar Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The establishment of this committee followed the dismissal of Chris Hughton as the Black Stars coach on January 23, 2024.
BREAK: I’m informed that Lawyer Ace Ankomah has declined to serve on the Committee to search for a new Black Stars coach.
I have personally called on the President of Ghana to dissolve that Committee, halt the search and instruct his minister and the GFA to first, render and… pic.twitter.com/wdVIC8tnvl
As per sports journalist Saddick Adams, the law lecturer has declined the invitation to serve on the committee. In a post on X, Adams stated, “I’m informed that Lawyer Ace Ankomah has declined to serve on the committee to search for a new Black Stars coach.”
“I have personally called on the President of Ghana to dissolve that committee, halt the search and instruct his minister and the GFA to first render an apology to the people of Ghana.
“Submit technical and management reports and their budget and investigate the causes of the disaster in Abidjan.
“Good that Lawyer Ace has been honourable enough to decline. The other members must decline their interest.
“The chairman of that committee himself is not fit for purpose. Aluta Continua.”
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially announced the deadline for applicants interested in the vacant coaching position for the Black Stars.
As per the recent FA statement, candidates looking to be considered for the role have until 11:59 PM on February 2, 2024, to submit their applications.
Following the dismissal of Chris Hughton after the Black Stars’ early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the GFA Executive Committee has formed a five-member panel. This panel is responsible for recommending a new coach within a three-week timeframe.
The Committee is not restricting its search to only those who apply; it has the authority to actively explore and consider suitable coaches, even those who haven’t formally applied.
Prospective coaches interested in taking on the responsibility of leading the Black Stars are encouraged to submit their applications. This includes a curriculum vitae or resume and a mission statement, which should be sent to the Search Committee via email at recruitment@ghanafa.org before the specified deadline.
JOB DESCRIPTION – HEAD COACH
The appointed Head Coach will have the overarching responsibility for managing the Senior Men’s National Team. This includes tasks such as player selection, tactical planning for both training sessions and games, and overseeing the overall performance of the Black Stars.
In addition to the day-to-day management, the Head Coach will play a crucial role in providing general technical direction and supervision for the Black Stars. A key aspect of the role involves enhancing the capabilities of the Technical Team associated with the national squad.
The Head Coach is expected to stay abreast of the latest developments and innovations in football tactics and development. Keeping up with the evolving landscape of the sport is essential for effective leadership.
Having a football philosophy that aligns with or complements the GFA’s DNA is a prerequisite for the Head Coach. This ensures a cohesive approach and shared values within the coaching staff.
Collaboration with the Technical Directorate is imperative, specifically in identifying and nurturing young talents for national teams. The Head Coach should actively contribute to the development of emerging players.
Scouting new talent for the national team is a crucial aspect of the role, requiring the ability to travel, both domestically and internationally, to assess player performances.
Beyond on-field responsibilities, the Head Coach is expected to engage with the media. This includes activities such as squad announcements and participating in pre-match and post-match interviews. Effective communication with the media is essential for transparency and public relations.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for the Head Coach position should have a demonstrated history of success in coaching premier Men’s National Teams or at the Club level.
Qualifications include holding the highest football license globally and possessing a minimum of 15 years of extensive experience in football.
A proven track record in successfully rebuilding teams, along with expertise in organizing and developing young talents, is a crucial requirement for the role.
Felix Magath, the former coach of Bayern Munich, has expressed his interest in the vacant Ghana job following the dismissal of Chris Hughton, as exclusively confirmed by Ghanasoccernet.com.
Hughton, an Irish-Ghanaian, was sacked after Ghana’s disappointing performance at the ongoing 2023Africa Cup of Nations, where they exited at the group stage in Cote d’Ivoire.
The four-time African champions had lacklustre performances in their three group games, culminating in their final game, where they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 and exit the tournament.
In the aftermath of these poor performances, Hughton was relieved of his duties, and a search committee was promptly formed to find a replacement. Magath has now expressed his interest in the position, according to his agent Vukoja Josip.
“Felix Magath has a great interest in the Ghana national team,” Vukoja Josip told Ghanasoccernet in an exclusive conversation.
Magath, 70, has a wealth of experience and is a proven winner, meeting the requirements set by the Ghana FA for the committee searching for a new coach.
The German, having enjoyed a successful career as a footballer with three Bundesliga titles, a European Cup, a UEFA European Championship, and two World Cup silver medals, seamlessly transitioned into coaching.
His coaching journey has been equally remarkable, managing various clubs predominantly in Germany. Notably, he coached Bayern Munich for three years, securing two Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokals (German Cups).
Magath also clinched the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and has been honoured as German Football Manager of the Year on three occasions.
With the Ghana Football Association (GFA) setting a three-week deadline for the search committee to find a suitable replacement for Hughton, Magath emerges as a formidable candidate, given his illustrious coaching career.
The Black Stars, seeking a fresh start, might benefit from Magath’s reputed no-nonsense coaching style to bring out the best in their talented players.
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi has raised concerns about the criteria established by the association for the selection of the next Black Stars head coach.
The GFA, under the leadership of a five-member committee headed by Vice President Mark Addo, has outlined specific criteria for the appointment of a new coach within a 21-day period, following the dismissal of Chris Hughton due to the team’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
One of the criteria stipulates that the potential coach must possess a minimum of 15 years of coaching experience.
However, Nyantakyi is sceptical about the effectiveness of this requirement, emphasising that extensive coaching experience does not always guarantee success.
“It doesn’t guarantee success to raise the bar too high to say a person must have a 15-year experience to coach the Black Stars,” Nyantakyi said in an interview with GTV Sports Plus.
Nyantakyi, who held the position of GFA President from 2005 to 2018, supervised numerous successful campaigns by the Black Stars during his tenure.
These achievements included qualifying for three FIFA World Cups (in 2006, 2010, and 2014) and reaching two AFCON finals.
He contends that factors such as passion, commitment, and a profound understanding of the game are equally crucial alongside coaching experience.
Despite expressing reservations about the set criteria, Nyantakyi maintains confidence that the task force will make the appropriate decisionfor the Black Stars.
Ghanaian actor Kwadwo Nkansah, also known as LilWin, has shared details about a conversation he had with some Black Stars players following the team’s exit from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
LilWin revealed that, according to the players, certain officials at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) compelled coach Chris Hughton to include players in the squad who did not merit their positions.
In his account, LilWin stated that the players informed him that some of the substitutions made by Chris Hughton were not of his own accord but were influenced by directives from higher authorities.
These decisions, pressured by external instructions, allegedly contributed to the team’s struggles and poor performance in the AFCON tournament.
“Some of the Black Stars players called me and told me that it was not their fault entirely for the poor performance. From the conversation, Ghanaians should rather be angry at the GFA, not the players or the coach. Orders from above forced Chris Hughton to name some players in the squad for the games, which was against his will.
“After the coach has named his squad, there will be calls and pressure from the top for him to include some players and he had to obey because they appointed him. It was part of the reasons why he made certain changes you wouldn’t understand,” he said in a video shared on his Instagram page.
LilWin further warned theGhana Football Association (GFA) to desist from interfering in the job of coaches to help the Black Stars thrive in tournaments.
“So we are telling the GFA to allow the coaches to work and stop the interference. If a player deserves to play in the first half, that’s fine; if not, they should stop the order from above to influence the coach’s decision. If this continues, then the Black Stars should be dissolved,” he added.
Ghanaian actor Kwadwo Nkansah, also known as LilWin, has shared details about a conversation he had with some Black Stars players following the team’s exit from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
LilWin revealed that, according to the players, certain officials at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) compelled coach Chris Hughton to include players in the squad who did not merit their positions.
In his account, LilWin stated that the players informed him that some of the substitutions made by Chris Hughton were not of his own accord but were influenced by directives from higher authorities.
These decisions, pressured by external instructions, allegedly contributed to the team’s struggles andpoor performance in the AFCON tournament.
