Mr. Ransford Antwi, a long-time friend of the Dujkovic family has leapt to the defence of his buddy, stating the Serbian-born Coach is NOT RACIST.
According to Mr.Antwi, Director of Sunyani-based Space Fm, Coach Dujkovic has never shown anything since their friendship, to warrant being called racist. ?Duja and his family are very nice people, with a lot of respect and affection for Ghana, and it is sad for people to brand him as racist?.
Speaking to Pressmen in Sunyani, Ransford Antwi, who is widely known in International Football circles, stated that, as a friend of the Dujkovics, he has been a bit concerned about the rate at which the Coach has come to be hated by Ghanaians so soon. ?Indeed, there is no denying the fact that Ghanaians are passionate about our soccer, and that he might have erred in one way or the other, however, the type of humiliation the man has been subjected to, is a bit worrying, he said. As a Coach, not every follower of the game would accept all his decisions, however, we should not insult him and his family, and brand him as incompetent, when he gets his tactics wrong, something which is not uncommon in the game of football.
Reacting to the recent interview which the Coach is alleged to have cited African footballers as lacking the discipline and attitude the game needs, Mr.Antwi stated that it?ll be hypocritical on the part of any serious-minded Ghanaian/African to think that, all is well with our footballers. The timing may not have been right, however, we should not crucify Dujkovic, only to say the right thing at the wrong time, and he pleaded. ?If people have a problem with his tactics, that?s fine, but to say that he?s racist is below the belt?, he said.
Mr.Antwi has pleaded with Ghanaian Soccer fans to spare the Coach since he needs to have his peace of mind, to embark on a mission to bring glory to our motherland. He also wished his friend(Coach Duja), all the best in what appears to be the biggest test in his coaching career.
I?ve told him I?ll be praying for him, and regardless of the outcome of the tournament, he?ll continue to be my friend, Mr.Antwi told the press.