Soccer News of Thursday, 10 July 2003

Source: .

No Rush To Sack Burkhard - Koufie

Ghana Football Association Chairman, Ben Koufie says his association would not rush in taking a decision concerning the future of Black Stars coach Burkhard Ziese.

The German trainer who failed to qualify Ghana for the 2004 African Cup of Nations arrived Wednesday night from Rwanda with the Black Stars, but even before he touched down, there seemed to be massive call for his sacking.

Sources close to the Sports Ministry say the days of the Burkhard Ziese as Black Stars coach are numbered but FA Chairman says there is no rush for now.

Mr. Koufie who has been speaking for the first time since Ghana’s shock exit from the African Cup of Nations says he is yet to come into his own after the crippling defeat to Rwanda. However, Ghana appears to be looking ahead after the Rwanda shocker.

A high-powered delegation led by the Minister of State for Youth, Education and Sports, Rashid Bawa is expected to head for Cairo begin lobbying for the rights to host the African Cup of Nations 2008.

The delegation, which has the head of the CAN 2008 Nations Cup bidding committee, Dr. Amoah as a member aims to make contact with some high profile people at CAF to aid Ghana’s efforts at securing the 2008 Cup of Nations.

Ghana’s President, J.A Kuffour has given his full backing to the committee’s work and Rashid Bawa believes the commitment from government will be key in winning CAF over to Ghana’s camp.

The "Sports Minister", Rashid Bawa does not see Ghana’s crashing out of the African Cup of Nations in 2004 as an obstacle to work against the committee’s work.