Former Black Stars coach, CK Akonnor, has shed light on the complexities he faced during his time at the helm of Ghana’s national football team. Appointed in 2020, following Ghana's exit in the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, Akonnor's tenure was marked by controversy, particularly around the process of selecting players for matches. In a recent interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he candidly expressed the difficulties that arose when it came to picking his squad, highlighting the tensions between his choices and the expectations of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). According to Akonnor, while a coach typically assembles a team based on strategy and form, he frequently found himself at odds with the GFA. This discrepancy led to uncomfortable and disorganized situations where player selections became a point of contention. He emphasized that instead of a collaborative effort, the process often felt disjointed and messy, making it challenging to justify his choices to the Association.
Akonnor explained that his experience was not just about differences in opinion but about the way the process was managed. "As a coach, you draw the list of players you want to use based on what you want to do," he stated, hinting at the autonomy coaches usually have. However, he noted that the GFA’s involvement went beyond constructive input, often leading to moments where he had to defend his selections without the sense of a unified direction. This situation, he claimed, made his role uncomfortable, as it became clear that decisions were not being made collectively. The perception of internal conflict between the coach and the governing body has long fueled suspicions among Ghanaian football fans that political factors and favoritism could be influencing the selection of players, rather than just skill and performance. Akonnor's revelations seem to reinforce these concerns, shedding light on the struggles behind the scenes of Ghana's national team.
As the Black Stars gear up for their last 2025 AFCON qualifier against Niger, the weight of Akonnor’s words lingers. The team's recent failure to qualify for the next AFCON tournament in Morocco has only intensified scrutiny of the GFA and their role in shaping the national squad. Critics have long argued that the Association’s influence undermines the autonomy of the coaching staff, potentially affecting team performance. This ongoing debate about player selection is not new, but Akonnor’s candid disclosure brings a fresh perspective to the issue. It emphasizes the need for greater clarity and cooperation between the coaching staff and the GFA if Ghana hopes to regain its former glory in African football. For many fans, Akonnor’s comments have validated suspicions that the challenges facing the Black Stars extend beyond just coaching and highlight a deeper, more systemic issue within Ghanaian football administration.
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