Sports
I have ‘NEVER’ interfered in the work of Black Stars coaches – GFA boss Kurt Okraku
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has refuted claims of meddling in the operations of Black Stars coaches, dismissing such reports as unfounded.
Speaking to the media in Kumasi today, Okraku addressed concerns regarding the administration’s alleged interference in player selection for the national teams.
Under Okraku’s leadership, the GFA has faced significant scrutiny for purportedly hindering coaches’ autonomy in choosing players for the various national teams.
The dismissal of CK Akonnor as head coach of the Black Stars intensified these criticisms, with Akonnor revealing in an interview with Joy FM that he often lacked final authority over player call-ups.
“This is common knowledge,” Akonnor stated. “Many speculate without understanding the internal dynamics. Besides the challenges posed by Covid-19, managing player selections was a significant hurdle.”
Acknowledging the difficulty in asserting control over player call-ups, Akonnor admitted, “There were instances where I felt frustrated and hesitant about selecting certain individuals. At one point, I even considered not calling up Emmanuel Lomotey again.”
Responding to allegations of interference, President Okraku vehemently denied involvement in the decision-making processes of former Black Stars coaches. “I did not intervene in Charles Akonnor’s tenure, nor did I meddle in Otto Addo’s or Chris Hughton’s tenure,” Okraku affirmed.
“All our actions are transparent and visible to everyone,” he added.
Chris Hughton, who served as head coach of the Black Stars, was relieved of his duties following the team’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast. The Black Stars exited the tournament during the group stage, managing only two points.
Source:Fiilasports/footbalmadeinghana
