Soccer News of Saturday, 12 November 2005

Source: nation malawi

Ziese recalls clash with Kuffour

New Malawian national coach Burkhard Ziese finally let it out of his chest on Thursday and dismissed talk that he has an attitude problem, saying it is because he does not compromise on discipline.

Reacting to media reports that he was always at the centre of controversy during his stints with Ghana?s Black Stars and Zambia?s Chipolopolo because of his attitude, Ziese said: ?I am sure with time, I will be judged correctly. I do not have an attitude problem, that is not true. The truth is that I am a strict disciplinarian. I want things to be done in a proper way.?

Ziese cited an incident that occurred a couple of years back when he was forced to drop Ghanaian star player Samuel Kuffour from a crucial match on disciplinary grounds. Kuffour was then starring for German club Bayern Munich. ?During that time, Kuffour was ranked one of the super star players and he thought he could do whatever he wanted...he arrived for camp training late and his performance was not impressive.

?I had no choice but to leave him out and there were cries from a section of the Ghanaian soccer fraternity, but I stood my ground just to ensure that there was discipline in the team. Now tell me...is that being difficult?? wondered the seasoned coach.