Former Ghana international Kim Grant has expressed interest in assuming the vacant coaching position with the Black Stars.
Following Ghana’s exit from the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, Otto Addo, who had signed a six-month contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), resigned from his position.
The Black Stars coaching job is now vacant with several wild rumours flying around with certain names being suggested as potential replacements.
Kim Grant who was last in charge of Accra Hearts of Oak has thrown his heart into the ring as he eyes Ghana’s coaching role.
Speaking in an interview with Oyerepa FM on Monday, the former Heart gaffer expressed his readiness to take the Black Stars hot seat.
“Off course, I will be interested, who will not be interested in coaching his national team? I was born in Ghana, speak the language, and understand the mentality. I’ve played at the highest level and coached at the very top level,” Coach Kim Grant shared.
The ex-Black Stars player added, “Every day I am learning, I am improving as a coach, I’m studying still and I’m still looking to do my pro license now so I’m developing all the time.
“I will take any challenge that will come to my face because I want to improve myself, I want to be the best coach in the world.”
The GFA is expected to name a new coach in the coming days as the AFCON 2023 qualifiers will return early next year.
At the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Ghana held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in the 2022 World Cup final play-offs to secure qualification for the grand tournament.
The first leg in Kumasi ended goalless and goals from Thomas Partey and William Troost-Ekong ensured the return game also ended all square to leave the tie at 1-1 on aggregate after 180 minutes, but the Black Stars claimed the ticket to Qatar 2022 on the away goals rule.
Balogun said, “It’s the first leg, we did not score, that would have changed the whole picture probably.”
“It’s a bit funny because that season the away goal-rule was scrapped everywhere. I don’t know why they didn’t do it in Africa. I have no clue, until this day, I don’t understand.
“We did go to Ghana to play that first leg and it was a tough game. There was this whole fuss about them changing the stadium last minute where they’ve never lost, and they said whether juju may or may not have been involved.
“It was really, really tough and we ended up playing 0-0. I remember we had a meeting one or two days after and one of the staff said we’re 70 percent through and I thought to myself that can’t be right.
“We played a goalless draw away from home, if that’s helpful to anyone then it’s Ghana. We said we have to just pour our hearts out for that game.”
The Black Stars failed to advance to the round of 16 after a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in the final Group H game last Friday.
The Ministry, under the leadership of Honourable Mustapha Ussif, have thanked all stakeholders for the support handed the team before, during and after Ghana’s elimination.
According to the Ministry, there will be a thorough review of the team’s performance to find the way forward for the Black Stars.
Below is the statement from the Sports Ministry:
After our spirited performances in our first two group matches of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana’s campaign, has unfortunately ended, following the Black Stars’ defeat to Uruguay in our final group match.
Our target, going into the World Cup, was to progress from our group to the next round, and then continue our charge in the knockout stage, to better our impressive record in the World Cup.
Having put in all efforts, including financial, logistical and technical support towards our preparations, we were all confident our young team would be able to realise our national aspiration of going very far in the competition.
Indeed, the Black Stars won the hearts of many Ghanaians, as well as fans across the globe, with their spirited fightback against Portugal, and hard-fought victory over South Korea. Eventhough we fell short at the most crucial stage and bowed out of the competition in disappointment, we take solace in the lessons learnt, and the positives, especially the promising delivery of our young team.
We are also impressed by the united and patriotic manner Ghanaians came together to offer the Black Stars their unflinching support. Football, the World Cup and the Black Stars, brought the nation together beautifully as one people.
In the midst of global economic challenges, which had limitations to our finances, corporate Ghana responded remarkably to the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ fund-raising initiative to support the team, as well as President Akufo-Addo’s personal appeal for financial support. We are grateful to all corporate institutions for their kind and timely support, which contributed immensely not only towards the team’s qualification and preparations, but also made it possible to send a few Ghanaians to cheer on the team.
As a Government, we will not relent in our efforts towards sustainable sports development, to ensure that all our respective national teams, including the Black Stars, reach the height we desire.
For the Black Stars in particular, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will continue its partnership with all stakeholders, including the GFA, for a thorough review of the Black Stars’ World Cup campaign in Qatar, and the way forward.
Once again, we are grateful to all, for your diverse contributions towards the Black Stars’ 2022 World Cup campaign; from the qualifying series, to our last match on Friday, December 2, 2022.
“We’re content here in Germany, my family and I.
Even if we win the World Cup and are crowned champions, I indicated I would stand down following the event.
As coach for Ghana, I have quit “In an after-match interview, Otto Addo told the media.
A Danish reporter refused to remove his OneLove armband when ordered to do so by a Qatari official.
John Pagh was doing a piece to camera when a man in uniform told him to take off the LGBT rights symbol.
But Pagh, a journalist for TV2, stood his ground and refused to remove the armband.
The officials could be heard telling the Dane in English that the symbol was “not allowed”.
When Pagh asked if it would be okay if he held it in his hand because he needed to show the armband in his TV piece, the man repeated that it was “not allowed”.
Pagh said: “I respect that you’re telling me that, but I can’t take it off. Is it because of the colours?”
The official confirmed that it was due to the rainbow colours on the armband and again asked Pagh to take it off.
He refused again and then the official appeared to walk off and leave the journalist alone.
Heathrow Airport ground handlers will go on strike for 72 hours in protest of their pay.
According to the Unite union, the strike will begin at 4 a.m. on Friday.
The strike by workers at aviation services firm Menzies will affect a number of airlines and disrupt flights departing from terminals 2, 3 and 4 at Britain’s busiest airport, according to a union statement.
Air Canada, American Airlines, Luthansa, Swiss Air, Air Portugal, Austrian Airlines, Qantas, Egypt Air, Aer Lingus, and Finnair flights are the most likely to be affected.
Workers are walking out in protest at what the union describes as a “derisory” pay offer from Menzies to the ground handlers, which they say is “far below the current real inflation rate of 14.2 per cent (RPI) and amounts to a substantial real terms pay cut”.
It had been feared passengers using Qatar Airways to fly to the football World Cupmight be affected, but planned action by another ground handling company, Dnata and by Menzies Cargo, has been cancelled.
Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said the strike was “entirely of Menzies’ own making”.
He added: “They have had every opportunity to make a fair pay offer, but have chosen not to do so.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said it was aware of the proposed industrial action.
A statement added: “We are in discussions with our airline partners on what contingency plans they can implement to support their ground handling.
“Our priority is to ensure passengers are not disrupted by airline ground handler shortages.”
Baba Rahman, a left defender for Ghana, believes the Black Stars can enhance their performance before the start of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars were a pale imitation of themselves as they defeated Nicaragua 1-0 while falling to Brazil by a score of 3-0.
The Black Stars can work harder to get in shape before the World Cup starts, according to Baba Rahman, a player in the game against Brazil.
God bless our motherland and make us great and strong, he tweeted. “Good exercise with the national team. More work to do but we will get there. Thanks for all the support and love.”
Baba Rahman has made 46 appearances for Ghana but he is likely to miss Ghana’s World Cup as a result of his recent deep in performance.
JNA We have more work to do, but we will get there – Baba Rahman
Ghana’s left-back Baba Rahman is confident the Black Stars can improve on their performance before the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar commences.
The Black Stars were a pale shadow of themselves as they lost 3-0 to Brazil and earned a 1-0 win over Nicaragua.
Baba Rahman, who played in the game against Brazil, is positive that the Black Stars can work harder to get themselves in shape before the World Cup starts.
“Good exercise with the national team. More work to do but we will get there. Thanks for all the support and love. God bless our homeland and make us great and strong,” he wrote on Twitter.
Baba Rahman has made 46 appearances for Ghana, but he is likely to miss Ghana’s World Cup due to his recent dip in performance.
Following the two games the Black Stars played during the international break, Ghanaians have raised a number of concerns about the team.
Ghana defeated Nicaragua 1-0 and fell to Brazil 3-0.
There are problems, many people have said, that need to be fixed before the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup starts.
Ghanaians would prefer to see the squad move past the group stage this time because of Ghana’s disastrous prior performance in the competition, which resulted in a group stage departure.
Before Ghana’s opening match against Portugal in the group stage, GhanaWeb looks at five questions Otto Addo needs to address in their final exhibition game against Switzerland.
What formation best suits the team?
Otto Addo has been experimenting and exploring his formation options in order to find the best fit for his squad.
The manager has tried a variety of systems, but the majority of them are 3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1. He does not appear to have decided which of the two is the best fit.
There are concerns that Otto needs to have a defined system in place for his team before the serious business of the World Cup begins.
The Ayews dilemma
Many believe that Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew have outlived their usefulness with the Black Stars. The argument has been that the Ayews can be on the team, but they should not be one of the first names on the line-up.
Otto Addo faces a difficult choice between giving in to public pressure or fighting it. In any case, he will be asked questions.
Dennis Odoi or Alidu Seidu?
The Black Stars have three options at right-back: Tariq Lamptey, Denis Odoi, and Alidu Seidu.
Lamptey appears to be the top pick in the pecking order, so he will be in the squad. As a result, Otto Addo will be torn between Alidu Seidu and Dennis Odoi for a backup spot in his final squad.
In the few games they have played, Alidu and Odoi have both proven their worth. Otto must now decide who makes the final list.
Who will lead the frontline for Ghana?
The Black Stars are lacking goals because they lack a prolific goal scorer, which leaves the manager unsure of how to set up his attacking lines to get the goals flowing.
In the games against Brazil and Nicaragua, he played Afena-Gyan and Inaki Williams respectively. He now has to decide which of the two players deserves to start at the World Cup.
Where does Kudus play?
One of Otto Addo’s problems is the role of Kudus Mohammed in his system. Kudus is flourishing at Ajax, where he is a false nine. For the Black Stars, however, he plays in his natural position of offensive midfielder, where many believe he takes far too many touches before releasing the ball.
Hence, Otto Addo must find a role for Kudus that will enable him to work efficiently.