The GFA has also dismissed reports suggesting that a new Black Stars coach has already been appointed.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is yet to appoint a manager for the country’s football team -the Black Stars. However, Ghanaians are running out of patience with the GFA, as several names have found their way to the media; regarding who is likely to fill the vacant position.
The search for a new Black Stars Coach became necessary following the resignation of former coach Avram Grant; who exited from the team, after they failed to reach the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Take a Look: At Circumstances that Led to Coach Avram Grant’s Resignation
Following Grant’s resignation, several names have been linked by stakeholders, to be a possible replacement for the Israeli.
Considered the most favorite name around, former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah have been indicated by some sports personalities, to be a possible replacement for ex-Black Stars coach Grant.
People in the likes of Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan have endorsed the former coach as the best option for the position. More so, some reliable sources have indicated that Appiah and two other expatriate coaches have been shortlisted for the vacant position. Kwesi Appiah applied for the job after the GFA opened applications for the position.
The 56-year-old made history by becoming the first indigenous coach to lead the Black Stars to World Cup. He however paid the ultimate price for the team’s inability to progress to the next round of the competition in Brazil. Under his watch, Ghana reached the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.
The former Black Stars skipper was sacked after the Black Stars failed to qualify from the group stage in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, amidst player boycott for a delay in the payment of appearance fees.
This name too has been on the lips of many, regarding possible replacements for ex-Black Stars Coach Grant. Sagnol was part of France’s squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, starting each of his country’s seven games en route to the final. His first coaching job at club level was he was appointed head coach of Girondins de Bordeaux.
The former French international’s biggest selling point lies more within his experience as a player than as a manager.
Maxwell Konadu is known in Ghana as one of the longest serving assistant coaches of the Black Stars team in recent years. The 44-year-old who is the interim coach of the Black Stars, have served under former coaches Kwesi Appiah and Avram Grant.
His coaching career began when he first did an internship at Ghana’s Feyenoord Academy, before taking on the assistant coach position of Red Bull Academy’s U-17 team in Sogakope. He began his professional career with the legendary Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC. One of his very many good records, is his win with the Ghana Premier league with Kotoko in the 2011-12 season.
Having worked under technical gurus like Kwesi Appiah, it is believed the former Kotoko manager will do a good job at the Black Stars.
According to reports, a new Black Stars coach will be announced latest April, by the GFA. The GFA has also dismissed reports suggesting a new coach has been appointed. This is in regards to rumors that Kwesi Appiah has been chosen to be the next Black Stars coach. Ghana FA who seems to be taking their time, says the committee tasked to find a new coach is yet to reach a decision.
The national football governing body received over 60 applications from coaches interested in the vacant position.
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