GFA’s decision to sack Kwesi Appiah was a mistake – George Afriyie
(GERMANY OUT) 31.05.2014, Fussball Laenderspiel in Rotterdam, Niederlande – Ghana 1-0, Trainer Kwesi Appiah (Ghana) (Photo by Team 2 Sportphoto/ullstein bild via Getty Images)Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, believes that Kurt Okraku made an error by sacking Kwesi Appiah as head coach of the Black Stars.Appiah was let go shortly after Okraku took over the GFA presidency, following Ghana’s exit in the Round of 16 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt. He was replaced by his assistant, CK Akonnor.Currently coaching the Sudanese national team, Appiah recently guided his squad to a 2-0 victory over the Black Stars in a 2025 AFCON qualifier, following a goalless draw in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium.In response to Appiah’s recent success with Sudan, Afriyie emphasized the rationale behind Appiah’s original appointment by the previous GFA administration, led by Kwesi Nyantakyi, and criticized Okraku’s choice to dismiss him.”We should credit Kwesi Appiah for the good job he has done. Hehada strong technical team and good players whenKurt Okraku was voted into office as president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA),” he told Asempa FM.”Kwesi Nyantakyi’s administration decidedto appoint Kwesi Appiah because we realised that he has deputised two Serbian coaches, and so he has experience. We should not forget thathe even masterminded Ghana’s 6-1 win over Egypt to qualify us for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.”What happened in Brazil, we all know that it was not his fault because the Sports Minister was set up to fail but when Kurt Okraku took over, he said he didn’t want Kwesi Appiah and he convinced Akufo Addo that he must be sacked.”When Kwesi Appiah met Ghana in the AFCON qualifiers, it was a payback time, and he has done that wonderfully well. That is nature,” Afriyieadded.Ghana’s recent loss to Sudan places the Black Stars third in Group F, with only two points from four matches. Meanwhile, Appiahs Sudan sits in second place with seven points.To secure a spot in next years AFCON tournament, the Black Stars will need Sudan to lose their upcoming matches against Niger and Angola. Ghana, for its part, will prepare for final group matches against the same opponents next month.
