FRED OSAM DUODU has been given the green light to take charge of the Ghana team until the after the African Cup of Nations in 2002.

Two decades ago, he masterminded Ghana's historic fourth African Cup success in Libya, and he has been given the same opportunity to again seek another continental success next year in the Mali-hosted event.

Inspired by the coach's impressive record, after taking over the job some weeks ago on a caretaker role, the FA reviewed their decision to appoint another boss and have kept with Duodu.

This leaves more uncertainty over which coach would be given the task of rebuilding the Black Stars for the 2006 World Cup qualifying series after the Cup of Nations tournament, should the experienced Duodu end his tenure before then.

On their return from Harare, the acting chairman of the Ghanaian FA, E.A. Owusu Ansah and general secretary W.K. Agra both agree that the appointment is in the best interests of the nation.

But Ghana are looking forward, and it still remains unclear whether the GFA would choose from candidates like German Burkhard Ziese, a former Black Stars coach, Italian Guiseppe Dossena, German Rainer Bonhoff and Dutchman Ger Lagendijk for Duodu’s successor in a few years time. All four applied for the job of Ghana coach before the FA came to this new decision.