Soccer News of Friday, 13 April 2012

Source: Dennis Mirpuri / Pravda Radio

Akunnor urges players to support Kwasi Appiah

Ex-Ghana skipper C.K. Akunnor, insists that newly appointed national team coach Kwasi Appiah’s success will depend on the level of co-operation his Black Stars players give him, he has exclusively told Pravda Sports.

Also ex-national team captain, Appiah was given the job earlier this week and has been tasked with qualifying the Black Stars to both the 2013 Nations Cup and the 2014 World Cup as well as to cap it with that 5thelusive Nations’ Cup title come South Africa 2013.

Ghana moved one place up to the 22nd position on the latest FIFA ranking released during the week meaning another of Coach Kwasi Appiah’s tasks may be to push the Black Stars further into the global top 20.

But Akunnor, who is himself now head coach at top flight giants Hearts of Oak, says Appiah’s ambitions can only become a reality if the Black Stars players give the new coach maximum dedication.

“I have been hearing talk of support from everybody to him (Kwasi Appiah), but I will go straight to the players,” Akunnor told Pravda Sports on 93.5 FM in Accra.

The Hearts coach explained: “The players need to give him the necessary support that he needs, just as they have been giving the previous coaches appointed for the Black Stars. A lot of work will depend on them and if they are able to do that then it will make Kwasi's job easier.”