National Sports Authority (NSA) Board chairman Seth Panwum is advocating for a longer term for the next Black Stars coach.
He is unhappy with the frequent change of coaches and believes a prolonged term will ensure stability and yield the desired result.
Panwum’s suggestion follows the sacking of Chris Hughton who was dismissed after Ghana’s exit from the Africa Cup of Nations. Hughton only lasted 11 months after his appointment in February 2023. After not-so-convincing performances under his charge, the veteran manager was handed an opportunity to redeem himself at the tournament.
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However, the four-time African champions began on a poor note losing 2-1 to Cape Verde. Their attempt to bounce back was unsuccessful as costly errors saw them draw 2-2 in subsequent games against Egypt and Mozambique. Having finished third with two points, the Black Stars bowed out of the Group Stage for the second consecutive time including the 2021 edition.
Following the Ghana Football Association (GFA) decision to get a new coach through a five-member committee, Panwum is advising for a revised plan.
“It can’t always be the dismissal of the head coach; that won’t fix the problem,” he said.
“Before the AFCON, certain FA officials were opposed to the coach because he was not their preferred candidate, so he did not receive the full support of the organization,” he highlighted accusing the GFA of negligence about support.
“I propose that the next coach sign a long-term deal, return to basics, and address the fundamentals. It is time for the FA to listen to Ghanaians because the squad is funded by taxpayers,” Panwum suggested.
Timeline of Black Stars coaches under the GFA
James Kwesi Appiah (April 2017 – January 2020):
- Appiah’s second stint as coach saw a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in 2019, where Ghana exited at the last 16 stage. This was the first time Ghana failed to reach the semi-finals in seven consecutive occasions of the tournament stretching back to 2008.
- Despite a brief extension for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, he was relieved of his duties in January 2020.
- It is important to note that, Appiah was inherited by the current GFA.
Charles Akonnor (January 2020 – September 2021):
- Appointed in January 2020, Akonnor’s tenure faced challenges, culminating in a 40% win rate over 10 matches.
- The final blow came with Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, leading to his dismissal in September 2021.
Milovan Rajevac (September 2021 – January 2022):
- Hired with hopes of success at AFCON 2021 and World Cup qualification, Rajevac’s tenure ended in disappointment as Ghana exited the AFCON group stage.
- Despite success in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, he was sacked post-AFCON.
- In summary, the Serbian gaffer’s initial exploits with the Black Stars which saw them reach the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup could not be replicated as his performance took a nose-dive.
Otto Addo (March 2022 – December 2022):
- Serving previously as one of Rajevac’s assistant coaches, Addo took charge of Ghana’s crucial World Cup play-off against Nigeria, securing qualification for Qatar 2022 on away goals.
- He was later handed the opportunity to lead the team at the tournament which didn’t go as planned. After a mixed bag of results, including two losses which included one against Uruguay, he stepped down following Ghana’s exit.
Chris Hughton (February 2022 – January 2023):
Hughton’s brief tenure concluded with his departure, marking him as the latest departure under the leadership of the Kurt Okraku-led Ghana Football Association (GFA).
- Throughout his coaching stint, Hughton managed to secure only four victories, faced four defeats, and settled for five draws in a total of 13 games.
- He managed four of the six AFCON qualification games and eventually sealed the qualification for Ghana after winning two and drawing two
- Repeated almost the disastrous show from the previous AFCON as he failed to record a win losing one and drawing two in the group stage and bowing out.
The AFCON exit marks a historic moment for Ghana, as it is the first time in the team’s history to experience consecutive eliminations in the first round of the tournament.