The race to find a suitable candidate to lead the Black Stars to their first World Cup has stepped up gear this week with five expatriate coaches expressing their desire to manage the side, according to the bi-weekly Graphic Sports.

Following the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Joe Aggrey's disclosure last week that government was ready to provide funds for the hiring of a top class foreign coach, speculation has been rife as to who will take the reins. According to the bi-weekly, its investigations have revealed that at present those who have thrown their name into the hat to occupy Ghana's top managerial position include a Pole, an Argentine, a Yugoslav, an English and a Frenchman.

A source close to the GFA indicated that officials are remaining tight-lipped with regards to the names of those hoping to fill the position, which has been vacant since Osam Duodo's mandate expired following the 2002 African Cup of Nations. One of the applicants, according to the story, currently being considered for the position is Polish-born Antoni Tiechniczek. The accomplished coach, born on May 3, 1942 is no stranger to international football by any stretch of imagination.

Managing the Polish side between 1980 and 1986, he steered the relatively unknown team to a bronze medal in the 1982 World Cup in Spain and reached the final stages in the 1986 competition hosted by Mexico. He also coached the Tunisian national side between 1986 and 1988, during which time he took them to the Seoul Olympics.

The Pole no doubt possesses a sound knowledge of African football. After all he also had two stints as head coach at Tunisian club side, Esperance, the first in 1987 and the second over a decade later. He also managed the national teams of the United Arab Emirates between 1989 and 1991 and Qatar in 1993.

As valuable as any other attribute is the fact that he speaks English and French ensuring that problems with communication will be minimal if he is appointed. However, if he is to agree to a deal the veteran coach has demanded a substantial $25,000 signing on fee and a monthly salary of $15,000. He will also require a house with a swimming pool and a car preferably a Peugeot 607.

It could however not be established by Thursday evening the other foreign names shortlisted. The deadline for finding a head coach set last week by the Minister to find a successful applicant is approaching at a startling speed; May was originally penned as the time to finalise any such deal but with only three serious contenders emerging so far the beginning of the rebuilding of the national side may well have to wait just a little longer.

Since 1958 the Black Stars have had more than their fair share of foreign coaches; fifteen in all, and incidentally if a Yugoslav is eventually appointed head coach he will not be the first, as fellow national, Josef Ember, took charge for a year in 1963. It is however evident that in considering an Argentine and a Pole for the position the GFA are exploring every avenue in their quest to arrest the dwindling fortunes of the Black Stars. After all, this is a previously uncharted territory; if either of these hopefuls are handed the job they will be the first representatives from their respective nations to be entrusted with the job.

Surprisingly a host of coaches whom many thought would be willing to take on the job have failed to come forward. German Burkhard Ziese, widely held by fans as the most suitable man for the job, has as yet failed to express an interest in the position. His credentials include leading the side to the African Nation's Cup final in the1992 tournament in Senegal, which saw the side produce some of their finest performances to date.

Ziese's strength was constructing a physically strong side, a trait many feel is a necessity if the Black Stars are to return to their glory days which comprise four African Nations Cup successes, a feat recently only shared by Egypt until Cameroon's triumph earlier this year.

Another former foreign coach of the side to be linked with the position is Guisseppe Dossena. The Italian was in charge between 1999 and 2000, and many had anticipated his return when the search for an expatriate coach was announced.

However, due to his current commitment with South American nation, Paraguay, his appointment is very much doubtful. With the search intensifying, the GFA are confident that several more proven foreign coaches will step forward in the coming weeks. They have already indicated that they will by no means settle for a 'mediocre' coach and as such all measures will be taken to ensure the correct choice is made.

However, the difficulty is balancing the need for a top class coach with the budget available to the GFA. The ministry has set a limit in line with the government's current thrifty policy, adding an extra dimension to the selection process and ensuring the task will by no means be straightforward.