Majority Leader in Parliament Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has come to the defence of Chris Hughton, the recently dismissed Black Stars coach, following Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite Ghana’s inability to secure a single win in the competition, with a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde and 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique, Mensah Bonsu believes that the blame extends beyond the coach’s decisions on the field. He pointed out that constant changes in coaching staff may not be the solution and expressed his thoughts on the team dynamics.
“Constantly changing coaches is not going to help us. Between the Ayew brothers, I had more hope in Jordan than Andre because he’s played his part. If we are to be truthful to ourselves, he no longer fits into the team,” remarked Mensah Bonsu during an interview on Angel FM. While he refrained from solely blaming Coach Chris Hughton, he emphasised the need for honesty in assessing the team.
Mensah Bonsu further voiced concerns about external influences impacting player selection, suggesting that certain decisions might be beyond the coach’s control. He stated, “You force the player on the coach, and you don’t want to blame the player; rather, you blame the coach. To me, Andre Ayew has been a fantastic player just like his father was, but at the moment, he is a spent force.”
As the search for Hughton’s replacement is underway, the Ghana Football Association has announced a five-member committee led by Vice President Mark Addo to spearhead the selection process. The committee is tasked with finding a new direction for the Black Stars after their early exit from AFCON 2023.