Sports
Bashir Hayford looks up to ‘heaven’ … for GFA technical director job
Former Somalia coach Bashir Hayford remains upbeat about his chances of landing Ghana’s technical director position.
The erstwhile Ghana women’s trainer is reportedly among three indigenous men listed for the job by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Three expatriates are also in contention, with all six candidates having already gone through interviews.
“I’m praying to God the Ghana Football Association will give me a chance to serve as a technical director,” Hayford told West FM.
“If I get the job, I will be able to meet all the coaches in Ghana as well as the national teams and also our clubs on how to turn things around to develop our football in the country.”
While the GFA is yet to release the identity of the six candidates, media reports say University of Cape Coast associate professor of physical education and sports psychology Joseph Kwame Mintah is among the leading contenders.
Former Asante Kotoko and Kano Pillars coach Abdul Malik Jabir, who applied for the job, is however out of the running, having revealed his inability to make the list for the interview stage.
Hayford’s last job in Ghana was leading the national women’s team to the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil.
It was not a good experience as the Black Queens disappointingly failed to make it past the group stage.
The coach also worked with Ghana Premier League sides Medeama, AshantiGold and Ebusua Dwarfs as well as the national men’s U-17 side.
According to a recent publication by the GFA, “the technical director role is a prerequisite of FIFA and Ghana intends to appoint his successor as soon as possible.
“The new technical director will be responsible for the technical development and progress of the GFA.
“His responsibilities also include planning and executing a long-term view of how to continually raise standards and innovations both on and off the pitch and to ensure that the path from development teams, (junior national teams) to Ghana men’s senior team (Black Stars) and women’s senior team (Black Queens) are always integrated, learning is shared and the basic principles of how we play are integrated.
“The select committee is expected to submit their report to the Executive Council and once approval is given, the new Technical Director will be announced.”
Ghana is on the search for a new technical director following the exit of long-serving Francis Oti Akenteng. – Goal.com
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
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