Soccer News of Tuesday, 26 February 2008

Source: GNA

"Let reasons overrule emotions" - GFA President

Accra, Feb 26, GNA - President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi has appealed to Ghanaians not to allow their emotions to becloud their reasoning in assessing the Black Stars performance at the just ended Nations Cup.

Ghana's coach Claude Le Roy has been singled out for blame by many Ghanaians for the Stars' inability to lift the trophy, but Nyantakyi insists emotions must be separated from reasons.

He told the media on Tuesday that the FA remained satisfied with the team's performance though they were disappointed with their inability to realize the "host and win" dream.

The Black Stars were bronze medalists at the biennial event. Nyantakyi said for the sake of continuity, it was crucial to maintain the services of the French trainer, who prior to the tourney vowed to step aside should he fail to lift the trophy.

The FA president says it will be unwise to dispense with the services of the coach whose contract expires in June 30.

"I can understand the disappointment of Ghanaians but it is also important that we do not get boxed down by that, forgetting that there are bigger challenges ahead."

He said the FA had not yet concluded a contract extension deal with coach, adding that a new contract would be formalized when the coach returned to Ghana.

The President said the new deal, which would last till the end of June, 2010 would mandate Le Roy to qualify the team to the Nations Cup in Angola and the World Cup in South Africa.

The technical team's performance, according to him would however be reviewed to ensure the Black Stars are better placed for both competitions.