Soccer News of Friday, 24 January 2003

Source: BBC Online

Govt, GFA split over future coach

A split has emerged between the Ghanaian FA and the country's government over who will be named the new Black Stars coach.

Four coaches have been named on the FA's shortlist - Bukhard Ziese, Manuel Gomes, Abdul Razak, and current caretaker boss Emmanuel Afranie.

But what should be a straightforward interview process is turning out to be a war of words between FA boss Ben Koufie and Osei Kweku, the country's Sports Minister.

Koufie is in favour of the appointment of a foreigner, but Kweku told BBC Sport Online he wanted the job to go to a Ghanaian.

"We have a few local coaches who can do well in pushing Ghana's soccer forward," Kweku said.

"Therefore, I think we should be open-minded and not close the door to local coaches.

"We have captured the African Cup of Nations four times and on all those occasions we had local coaches."

And Kweku attacked the idea that a foreign coach would automatically be a better choice.

"These foreign coaches, they come here and they are not able to train local players into a winning side.

"All they do is bring in foreign-based players and form a team.

"So in the long run, what is the achievement of the foreign coach?"