‘GFA doing trial-and-error with Black Stars coaching job’ – George Afriyie

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has criticised the governing body for what he describes as a pattern of trial-and-error appointments in managing the Black Stars’ coaching role.

Mr Afriyie, who chair highlighted the frequent changes and lack of a clear strategy in hiring head coaches over the past five years.

“Coach C.K. [Akonnor] was sacked, then Milovan Rajevac was brought in. Milo was sacked, and Otto Addo came. Otto himself said he wasn’t ready for the job on a long-term basis. He left, and Chris Hughton was hired. Chris has been sacked, and now Otto Addo is back again. If you’re doing this within five years, isn’t it just trial and error?” Afriyie questioned on GTV.

Afriyie expressed concern about the GFA’s decision to repeatedly entrust the national team to inexperienced coaches, arguing that such choices have undermined the Black Stars’ progress.

“Otto Addo, until taking over this job, had never been the head coach of any serious team. Look at his assistants—none of them had significant experience either. Elsewhere, when you appoint an inexperienced head coach, they bring in seasoned deputies to support them. But in this case, even the assistants were inexperienced,” he remarked.

The former Black Stars Management Committee chairman referenced the coaching team that led Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which included Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, George Boateng, and Chris Hughton as assistants. According to Afriyie, this arrangement reflected a lack of foresight in assembling a competent technical team capable of steering the national side to success.

Afriyie’s comments come amid growing discontent among fans and stakeholders following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

His remarks underscore the need for a more structured and deliberate approach to managing the Black Stars, with an emphasis on long-term planning and building a strong technical foundation.

“The coaching job for the Black Stars is not one for experiments. We need a clear strategy, experienced hands, and proper planning if we want to restore the team’s glory,” Afriyie concluded.

With Ghanaian football at a crossroads, these insights could serve as a wake-up call for the GFA to rethink its approach to managing the national team. Fans and stakeholders alike are now demanding accountability and a shift towards more sustainable practices in football administration.