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Tag: Chris Hughton

  • Gabby Otchere-Darko is the reason Chris Hughton was appointed Ghana head coach – Edem Agbana

    Gabby Otchere-Darko is the reason Chris Hughton was appointed Ghana head coach – Edem Agbana

    The parliamentary candidate for Ketu North for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edem Agbana, has alleged that Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko influenced the selection of Chris Hughton as the coach for the Black Stars because of the relationship they share.

    His comments came after the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, leaked the $8.5 million budget of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire despite their early exit from the competition.

    Edem Agbana, speaking on TV3 on January 30, 2024, noted that he is ready to defend his claim anywhere.

    “As we speak, Chris Hughton was selected because of his relationship with Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko. Those of us in football know this and I am saying that if Gabby or anybody doubts this, they can take me anywhere. Some of them were selected because of their relationships with people in government. I am an angry Ghanaian football fan and also a Ghanaian whose tax is being used to pay them,” he alleged.

    Edem Agbana also alleged that the government sponsored thousands of its NPP supporters and delegates to travel to Cote D’Ivoire to watch the AFCON matches and paid them $400 each.

    He also mentioned that he had the opportunity to send some people to watch the games, but he refused because he was angry and disgusted by the NPP’s actions.

    “Before AFCON, I had the opportunity to send about 5 people to also go and watch the game. But I refused because they sent thousands of NPP supporters and delegates and they paid them $400. After the first match, Ghana lost, and the supporters organised a press conference and said that they were going to boycott the second match with Egypt. Before the second match, $400 was paid to NPP supporters and there were 1000s of them all from the NPP. They were selected through the district chief executives to be taken to AFCON.

    “They paid all of them at the time the government was unable to pay the capitation grant and finance the school feeding programme,” he added.

  • Black Stars head coach search committee set February 2 as deadline for submission of applications

    Black Stars head coach search committee set February 2 as deadline for submission of applications

    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.

  • Chris Hughton sacked after Ghana’s poor show at 2023 AFCON

    Chris Hughton sacked after Ghana’s poor show at 2023 AFCON

    Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the senior national team, Black Stars, with immediate effect.

    The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has also taken a decision to dissolve the technical team of the Black Stars.

    This comes after Ghana’s poor performance at this year’s AFCON tournament, a reminder of what took place a biennium ago.

    Ghana failed to advance from the group stages once again after failing to beat Mozambique this time around.

    Ghana exited Group B with just 2 points after losing to Cape Verde, drawing with Egypt and subsequently Mozambique.

    The Ghana Football Association has noted that it will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars.

    Meanwhile, some players of the Black Stars such as Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Kudus have apologized for the team’s poor performance.

  • AFCON 2023: Black Stars giving poor display purposely to push coach’s sacking – Kofi Akpaloo

    AFCON 2023: Black Stars giving poor display purposely to push coach’s sacking – Kofi Akpaloo


    Presidential candidate for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, has made bold allegations, accusing the current Black Stars players participating in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) of conspiring to push out coach Chris Hughton.

    Akpaloo’s claims follow the national team’s lacklustre performance in their opening match against Cape Verde, resulting in a 2-1 defeat.

    Expressing his dissatisfaction with the team’s dedication and display, Akpaloo suggested that the overseas-based players in the squad are intentionally working to subvert and oust Coach Hughton from his position.

    In a strongly-worded statement, Akpaloo expressed his desire for a complete overhaul of the Black Stars, advocating for the inclusion of more locally-based players.

    “It is my wish that we sack all the current Black Stars players and allow the local ones to play. We have overpampered these players, and as a result, they are not committed. Their deliberate attempt to get the coach sacked or sabotage him will not work,” declared Akpaloo.

    The accusations surface amidst heightened scrutiny and criticism of the players following their disappointing start to AFCON 2023.

    The Black Stars are gearing up for their crucial upcoming match against Egypt on Thursday, with the aim of recovering from their initial setback. As criticism of the team continues to grow, especially after their defeat to Cape Verde, the upcoming match provides an opportunity for redemption.

    Kofi Akpaloo, leading the LPG into the 2024 general elections, expresses concerns not only about football matters but is also determined to break the political dominance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

  • Chris Hughton speaks on why ex club, Brighton is being lackadaisical in selling Caicedo to CHelsea

    Chris Hughton speaks on why ex club, Brighton is being lackadaisical in selling Caicedo to CHelsea

    Moises Caicedo, the midfielder who has attracted interest from Chelsea and holds a valuation of 100 million Euros, might not be swiftly departing from his current club, Brighton and Hove Albion, according to former manager Chris Hughton.

    The 64-year-old Hughton commented that the Seagulls have been making impressive moves in the ongoing transfer market, even though they recently bid farewell to Alexis MacAllister for 42 million Euros and Robert Sanchez to Chelsea for 23 million Euros.

    In contrast, Brighton has made significant acquisitions, including Jao Pedro for 32 million Euros, Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht for 20 million Euros, and Brazilian defender Igor from Fiorentina for 17 million Euros.

    Hughton, speaking on TalkSport, expressed that in his tenure, the club might have allowed Moises Caicedo to depart, but under the current direction, Brighton is not eager to part ways with the Ecuadorian midfielder.

    “Brighton as a club at this moment has done incredibly good business and I would imagine they are not desperate to sell”.

    “I think the circumstances have changed because the Brighton I know a few years ago would have accepted this offer. But they are in a very good position and I think they will sell when the value is correct”, he added.

    Caicedo had a standout 2022–23 season, helping Brighton and Hove qualify for the European Europa League for the first time after placing sixth the previous year. Brighton & Hove will be eager to keep him.

    On Thursday, September 7, 2023, when the Black Stars host Central Africa Republic in the last Group E match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Chris Hughton is predicted to secure Ghana’s spot in the 2023 AFCON.