Sports News of Tuesday, 4 April 2017

Source: goal.com

Kwesi Appiah closing in on Ghana job?

Ghana Football Association communications director Ibrahim Sannie Daara has given the biggest hint yet of the imminent reappointment of Kwesi Appiah as coach of the Black Stars.

The 56-year-old is among about five coaches under consideration for the job, with former France international Willy Sagnol and Cameroon trainer Hugo Broos two of about four shortlisted expatriates.

Appiah could make a return, three years after his sack for supervising Ghana's first ever group stage elimination at the Fifa World Cup at Brazil 2014.

"After juxtaposing Appiah's CV and achievements with that of those who applied for the post, the search committee thinks he is among the best," Sannie told Joy FM.

"What is most important is Appiah must be given the chance to prove to those interviewing him that he is capable of handling the post. We must be fair to him.

"People can have their personal opinions and that's absolutely fine but they must not seek to torpedo the work of the committee.

"Kwesi Appiah has handled the national team before. Since then, he has made important strides by making Al Khartoum one of the respected sides in the CECAFA region.

"We must be patient by allowing the committee to do its job. If he is not competent, the committee wouldn't have selected him."

The GFA's six-man committee is expected to name the successful candidate this week.

Local rumours say Appiah, who currently managers Sudanese outfit Al Khartoum, is top favourite to land the job, and his return will be accompanied by a massive shakeup in the Black Stars' backroom staff.

Former Ghana international and Cameroon assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko could be appointed as new assistant coach, with Black Stars' first choice shot-stopper at the 2006 and 2010 Fifa World Cup Richard Kingson becoming goalkeeping coach and former Juventus star Stephen Appiah team manager.