Sports
Building the capacity of our local coaches
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Capacity.jpg&description=Building the capacity of our local coaches', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Capacity.jpg&description=Building the capacity of our local coaches', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
THE issue of contracting local managers or coaches for our senior national team, Black Stars, has always been a matter of postscript rather than a priority. Maybe, that should not have been the case.
Whilst a school of thought fiercely holds the engagement of local coaches as the right technical brains for the national team, others disagree – believing that the ‘local breeds’ have not gotten to the expected apogee to handle a team in that class.
Respected football administrator and bankroller of Kumasi King Faisal, Alhaji Abdul Karim Grusah, has persistently insisted that there was no local coach available at the moment to handle the Stars.
“There is no coach in Ghana who can handle the Black Stars now. Let’s be honest with ourselves,” Alhaji strongly asserted.
Ghana’s Black Stars are currently without a trainer amid speculations of ongoing talks between the Ghana FA and Germany-based Ghanaian Otto Oddo and ex-Brighton boss Chris Houghton as regards the managerial position of the team. Other reports also suggested that a local coach be contracted as an interim boss ahead of Ghana’s Qatar 2022 World Cup play-off with Nigeria clash in March.
This nagging issue will continue to haunt us a nation unless we make it a policy to use our own people to handle our national team. Indeed, some chieftains of Ghana football believe that our game can make a significant progress if the nation drives away from the over-dependence on foreign coaches and rather concentrate on building the capacity of the indigenous ones.
Indeed, from George Edward Ainsley (1959) to Avraham “Avram” Grant 92014/2017), none of the 24 expatriates have been able to give Ghana gold at the continental front. All of Ghana’s four Nations’ Cup feats (1963, ’65, ’78 and ’82) have been masterminded by local coaches, clearly indicating that they have something up their sleeves. Admittedly, however, some of the local brains have let the nation down when given the opportunity; perhaps, the major reason for their failure being that they have not been given the free hand to manage the team as they would have wanted.
Ranking Member of Youth, Sports and Culture, who is also the Member of Parliament for South Tongu Constituency, Wisdom Kobena Woyome, agrees that the government need to improve the capacity of the local coaches in the country to be able to take up national team assignments.
“It’s sad that the technical team didn’t look sharp; the playing body showed some lackadaisical attitude. I have a soft spot for local coaches because I want us to build their capacity. Looking at the previous AFCONS we won, we won them with local coaches, so all I am saying is that, there’s so much we can do with local coaches.
“Question, however is, have they built the needed capacity of local coaches to deliver?,” he queried, insisting that it must be the responsibility of the system (government). This is the only way to stop appointing expatriates or looking for the best foreign coaches.”
About two years ago, President of Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Simeon Okraku, indicated that he had tasked the FA Technical Directorate to select 15 local coaches who would receive training to improve their capacity. It is not too clear what happened to that laudable strategy – which the Technical Directorate, headed by German tactician Bernhard Lippert, was mandated to vigorously pursue.
Okraku also assured that coaches selected would be offered the opportunity to add value to themselves by way of attachment beyond the borders of Ghana.
“Coaching is a very key part of the football ecosystem and the Executive Council of the Association do take coaching very seriously. It is for this reason that when we started this journey, we have taken steps to enhance the coaching capacity of our local coaches.”
Truth is that we have seen some kind of training for local coaches, but it is not enough. We would have expected to see the capacities of top local and former Black Stars’ coaches being enhanced. We can make mention of the likes of Sellas Tetteh, David Duncan, Maxwell Konadu, Kwesi Appiah, CK Akonnor, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, etc, who could be sent for top technical FIFA programmes over time with the ultimate intention of taking over the national team. Others who do not get the top nod could be sent to build the cadet teams as they are expected to impart their knowledge on their assistants.
We have got to have a deliberate strategy of building from the junior level to the apex of the game.
The success of Burkina Faso coach – Kamou Malo, in the Cameroon African Cup of Nations, is enough to start thinking again of building the capacity of our own to handle the national team.
Malo was brought up playing football on the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, but he trained for the police force and was about to sit his exams to become a police captain when he got the chance to go to Germany and study for his coaching badges.
He enjoyed success coaching domestically, including winning the title at Rail Club du Kadiogo, before getting the chance to manage the national team in 2019.
Having already given Appiah, Tetteh, Akonnor the opportunity to be at the helm of affairs, we could also identify one of the buoyant coaching names around and start preparing him to take over the Stars in the next few years. It is all about planning and we have to be ready to invest because nothing good comes cheap.
It is interesting to know that Stephen Keshi is the only coach from Sub-Saharan Africa to have won the AFCON this millennium.
“I would encourage those running federations in Africa to recruit local coaches. It was a risk but the results speak for themselves. We should have more confidence in ourselves and give local coaches the same opportunities,” Malo said.
BY JOHN VIGAH
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
