The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Ben Nunoo Mensah, has said that James Kwasi Appiah should have been maintained as Black Stars’ coach despite his struggles when he was leading the team.
According to him, Kwasi Appiah, being a local coach, should have been given more time to build the Black Stars team despite the inconsistent results to encourage local managers.
He argued that since Appiah was dismissed as Black Stars coach, the team has been grappling to find their best form due to the continuous change in managers.
Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, Nunoo Mensah advocated for local coaches to be given the necessary training to equip them for coaching roles and be allowed to work.
“I think that in so many years, Kwasi Appiah has been one of Ghana’s best coaches, and it was sad we got him out in that manner. Also, when there was an opportunity to appoint him again, we overlooked him. For me, because we are constrained by financial difficulties, we should look within ourselves.
“If Appiah had continued, maybe we wouldn’t be here. Some time ago, E. T. Mensah did the same with Jones Attuquayefio, and it worked. Most of the AFCON titles we won were with Ghanaian coaches, so why don’t we look within ourselves and build people to the level of Pep Guardiola and co.? Those local coaches will be more committed to the nation,” he said in Twi.
The Black Stars, led by head coach Otto Addo, lost three games, drew three, and won none of their six matches played in the tournament.
The team finished bottom of Group F with just three points, while Sudan and Angola qualified from the group.
It marks the first time in 20 years that the Black Stars have not qualified for the AFCON.
Watch Ben Nunoo Mensah’s video below:
I don’t think we made the right decision, but I believe Kwesi Appiah has been one of the best coaches- Ben Nunoo Mensah, ( Nii Kojo Ashiefie Papanyira I) The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC),
(2-12-24)#TheUltimateSportsShow#AsempaFM#Asempasports pic.twitter.com/xwp0kzJeWa
— Asempa 94.7FM (@Asempa947_FM) December 2, 2024
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