Sunyani residents divided over choice of coach for Black Stars

The appointment of a new coach for the Black Stars, Ghana’s?senior?national football team has always been a topic of great interest and debate among football enthusiasts across the country.?

Consequently, some Sunyani residents and football fanatics?have been?actively engaged in that?discussion, following the Ghana Football Association’s establishment of a committee to find a suitable replacement for Mr Chris Hughton, who was relieved of his post due to the Black Stars’ disappointing performance at the ongoing African Cup of Nations?tournament?in Cote D’Ivoire.?

The responsibility of selecting a competent coach rested with that?committee, but football fans in Sunyani believed?that their voices should be heard, as they held differing opinions on the matter.?

While some believed?hiring an expatriate coach would be the solution to the country’s football crisis, others argued?that it was time to entrust the Black Stars to a local coach who?possessed?a better understanding of the Ghanaian game.?

Mr James?Akuo
ko, a teacher?contended?hiring a local coach would bring someone who?held?a deeper and better?understanding of Ghanaian football culture and the local players.?

He added that a local coach was likely to have a better grasp of the unique challenges faced by Ghanaian players, such as adapting to the physical demands of international football and dealing with the pressures of?representing?the nation.?

Alhassan?Issaka, a?student?hoped?a local coach would?possess?a deeper understanding of the local?pool of football?talents and?ultimately lead?to improved player?selection?and development.?

He?further?suggested having a local coach at the highest level of Ghanaian football would serve as an inspiration for young aspiring coaches?in?pursuing a?coaching?career.?

Sylvester?Kaakyire, a shop owner, highlighted the benefits of having a foreign coach with international experience and exposure, saying?such coaches brought?fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to the team.?

He added?foreign coaches introduced new
training methodologies, tactical approaches?and scouting networks that could?greatly enhance?the performance of the Black Stars players.?

Rukaya Raby, a hairdresser said foreign coaches brought?a sense of professionalism and discipline to the team and pointed out that those coaches?usually?had?experience working in?highly???competitive?football?environments where?high standards?of preparation and performance?were the norm.?

She added that?expertise?could help?to?address issues such as player discipline, fitness levels and overall team organisation.?

Under the administration of Mr Kurt?Edwin Simon?Okraku?since 2019, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed four coaches, Mr Charles?Akonnor, Mr Milovan?Rajevac, Mr Otto Addo and Mr Chris Hughton.?

But,?the question?being asked by most Ghanaian football enthusiasts ‘is whether the FA would ultimately?appoint?a local or foreign coach’.??

Source: Ghana News Agency