The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, has expressed his belief that Kwasi Appiah should have been retained as head coach of the Black Stars, despite the challenges he faced during his tenure.
Appiah was dismissed after Ghana’s Round of 16 elimination at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Mr Nunoo Mensah argued that Appiah, as a local coach, deserved more time to rebuild the Black Stars.
He stressed that supporting local managers would encourage the development of Ghanaian coaching talent.
“I think that in so many years, Kwasi Appiah has been one of Ghana’s best coaches, and it was sad we got him out in that manner,” he said.
He highlighted the financial constraints facing the country and suggested that Ghana should focus on developing homegrown coaching talent.
“Also, when there was an opportunity to appoint him again, we overlooked him. For me, because we are constrained by financial difficulties, we should look within ourselves,” he added.
Mr. Nunoo Mensah also cited the success of E.T. Mensah and Jones Attuquayefio in the past as evidence of the potential for local coaches to excel with adequate support and training.
“If Kwesi Appiah had continued, maybe we wouldn’t be here. Some time ago, E. T. Mensah did the same with Jones Attuquayefio, and it worked.
“Most of the AFCON titles we won were with Ghanaian coaches, so why don’t we look within ourselves and build people to the level of Pep Guardiola and co.? Those local coaches will be more committed to the nation,” he added.
Video below:
I don’t think we made the right decision, but I believe Kwesi Appiah has been one of the best coaches- Ben Nunoo Mensah, ( Nii Kojo Ashiefie Papanyira I) The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC),
(2-12-24)#TheUltimateSportsShow#AsempaFM#Asempasports pic.twitter.com/xwp0kzJeWa
— Asempa 94.7FM (@Asempa947_FM) December 2, 2024
The Black Stars have recently faced significant setbacks under head coach Otto Addo, failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
The team ended their campaign in Group F with three losses, three draws, and no wins, finishing last with just three points.
Sudan and Angola advanced from the group, marking the first time in 20 years that Ghana has missed out on an AFCON tournament.