Former coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Ian Porterfield, believes he is the man to take the Black Stars to the World Cup and has therefore offered to handle the team for three months without salary to prove point.

The offer is in sharp contrast with the recent fraud visited on the country by the Stars’ errant Yugoslav coach, Millan Zivadinovic, whose services for the same period cost the nation about ?520m. Porterfield's spokesman, Mr. Akwasi Afrifa, who disclosed this to the Graphic Sports, stressed that the main reason underlying the Scot’s unprecedented offer is his eagerness to prove a point in Ghana.

He explained that it was after Porterfield had won the confidence of Ghanaians and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) during the three-month probation that he would enter into negotiations over the terms for a permanent job. He, however, hinted that the conditions would not be anything different from what was given to Coach Zivadinovic. As far as the initial offer is concerned, all that Porterfield is demanding from his employers are accommodation and a vehicle.

According to Mr Afrifa, Porterfield's deep obsession for the Black Stars job emanates from the interest he has developed in Ghanaians during his five-month stay in the country. He noted that Porterfield is more than determined to prove a point in Ghana, especially since this is where for the first time he has had a contract terminated midstream in his 25-year career.

According to the spokesman, even though that free offer has never come from any coach, foreign or local, it is a costly bait from a foreigner towards fulfilling a personal as well as a national dream. He indicated that the special package has already been communicated to both the FA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports who are yet to respond to it. Meanwhile, the Stars errant coach, Milan Zivadinovic has defied the GFA's directive to return to post within 10 days.

Responding to an FA ultimatum from his Belgrade base in a letter dated October 10, 2002, Zivadinovic categorically re-emphasised his strong stance to part company with Ghana and explained why his earlier decision was not negotiable. In the letter which was addressed to the Chairman of the GFA, Mr. Ben Koufie, the Yugoslav reiterated the fact that his resignation was based on Article 4b of the contract which gives both parties a chance for termination of the contract by mutual agreement in the first six months in case any of the parties is dissatisfied with the terms and conditions, realisation of the programme and the performance of work.

"Besides your wish to continue our co-operation, I inform you once again that I intend to act in accordance with Article 4b of the mentioned contract and terminate my co-operation with you” he stressed.

Casting further doubt over his return to the Stars job, Milan Zivadinovic wished the FA, the team, players local coaches and the entire Ghanaian sports public success in the realisation of their dream, especially under Ben Koufie’s tenure.

Beneath that uncompromising position assumed by the expatriate coach, however, was a seeming apprehension for stringent sanctions which could result from his fraudulent act. He underscored this when he concluded thus," I hope that we shall resolve this misunderstanding in a gentlemanly manner, in accordance with the contract and in the spirit of mutual understanding".

With this latest development, the FA might be contemplating their next line of action as they anticipate to hear favourably from FIFA in respect of an earlier petition sent to the world governing body on the issue.