Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire, March 8, GNA - Black Stars head coach Milovan Rajevac has for the second time opted for a place outside the technical bench in Sunday's CHAN final against DR Congo. After directing the last two matches from his new found base in the VIP Tribune, Milo is in no mood of sacrificing his place amongst the "big guns" for the technical bench and not even the final will compel him for a change of mind.
The Stars trainer was eligible for a return to the bench during the Ghana-Senegal semi finals clash after serving a match ban for his sending-off during the Ghana-Libya game, but the coach decided otherwise. At a Press Conference at the team's hotel (Gulf Hotel, Cocody) on Saturday, the Serbian told the media that sitting outside the technical area affords him a positive view of the technicalities of the game. "When I sit there, I am able to easily spot the tactical play of my opponents to make changes. It also gives me a fair idea of the weaknesses and strengths of the boys."
For the Serbian, his love for a place outside the bench is motivated by similar actions of renowned coaches such as Alex Ferguson of Manchester United fame and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger who often sit outside the technical area. "Whenever there should be tactical variation, I communicate to my assistant Kwesi Appiah. "During the half time I will visit the dressing room and pep them (players) up for the final half."
The Serbian however reckons that he won't promise the ultimate but that all his efforts and that of his technical team are directed towards achieving success. "Promising is not the hallmark of a good coach. But we will work hard to achieve victory." "The Congolese are a strong side with some talented players, but they are beatable," he noted Ghana spanked DR Congo 3-0 in their final group clash to qualify for the semi-final, where they went ahead to edge past Senegal 7-6 on penalties.