Soccer News of Thursday, 7 August 2014

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Jonathan Mensah wants lingering Black Stars issues resolved

Defender Jonathan Mensah wants all issues regarding the reported uncertain future of coach Kwesi Appiah sorted out in time before the 2015 African Cup qualifiers begin next month.

The Black Stars will be playing two games in a space of four days in their bid to book their place for next year’s finals in Morocco.

Ghana is billed to host Uganda on September 6 before traveling to face neighbouring Togo four days later.

The Black Stars camp has however been rocked with several issues since their disastrous campaign at the 2014 World Cup.

The Ghana FA are in the process of fashioning out some reforms within the management of the team while the state have set up a three-member commission of inquiry to look into the various factors that led to the abortive campaign in Brazil.

Issues have also been raised about the future of coach Kwesi Appiah despite signing a two-year extension to his contract – a decision taken by the Ghana FA’s Emergency Committee which is yet to receive ratification from the Executive Committee.

Reports rife in Ghana even suggests Appiah will be stepping down as head coach of the Black Stars once the Ghana FA carries out its reported intention to appoint an expatriate technical director.

Defender Jonathan Mensah however wants all these lingering issues resolved to give the team the peace and space to prepare adequately for the crucial assignments ahead.

“We should just sort things out because we always think we’ve got time and then we realise here we are,” he told BBC.

“We have to play qualifiers so we have to sort out everything that will be an inconvenience for the coming qualifier.

“This is something the federation needs to settle. I saw one article about a technical director being appointed and the coach doesn’t like the idea or something like that.”

Ghana have made at least the semi finals of the AFCON since 2010 but are yet to meet the huge expectations of their ever demanding fans of winning the title.