THE RETURN OF KWESI APPIAH REKINDLES THE NATION'S LOVE FOR BLACK STARS

BABA YARA SPORTS STADIUM

Coach Kwesi Appiah returned to Black Stars with an ardent 5-0 victory over Ethiopia in Group F AFCON 2019 qualifier at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

It was a must win match for a team that has lost favour with its football mad supporters.

Kwesi Appiah’s side kicked off qualifying for the AFCON tournament in 2019 in style. 

Reappointment of Kwesi Appiah as Black Stars Head Coach seems to have restored the nation’s love for the team. The attendance at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium was something phenomenal, something we have not seen in a while. The fans were on their feet cheering Black Stars for the entire game.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and Ethiopia generated a gross GH¢ 250,000 from gate proceeds at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Sunday according to the National Sports Authority. The Black Stars have had a low stadium attendance in recent times following their 2014 FIFA World Cup drama.

Following the return of Coach Kwesi Appiah, the Kumasi fans affirmed their intentions to unite with the team again after fans boost up players at the Baba Yara sports stadium.

Kwesi Appiah’s starting line-up on the day proved that no player is guaranteed a starting place. Appiah made changes to the squad, handing starting roles to three debutants, Lumor Agbenyenu, Raphael Dwamena and Thomas Agyepong, a brave decision to make on his return to the team but each one of them showed on the day, their selection was not on merit.

The omission of players like Jordan Ayew and Afriyie Acquah from the starting line-up together with the addition of four debutants was a clear and strong message from the Head Coach that everyone has to earn their place. 

KWESI APPIAH RETURN IS A CLARION CALL

Ghana's national football team is returning a familiar name to its management. Kwesi Appiah is the first black man to have qualify Ghana for the World Cup in Brazil 2014, has return to the Black Stars as coach again.

 His first stint as Black Stars coach ended in a mutual consent in September 2014 few months after the World Cup, where the team failed to qualify out of their group featuring Portugal, USA and champions Germany amid high profile off the pitch incidents involving player agitations for delayed bonuses.

The 57-year- old, officially starts his second coming on 1st May, 2017 and will be in charge for the next two years.

A statement from the Ghana FA said: “The decision was taken by the Executive Committee of the GFA on Tuesday after approving the report of the six-man coaching search committee and he will also take full charge of the Local Black Stars” and see the team through the qualifying rounds of the 2018 Chan to be hosted by Kenya.

The search for a new coach began late February after former Chelsea coach Avram Grant indicate his decision not to extend his expiring contract.

The Ghana FA subsequently instituted a six-man committee chaired by its President Kwesi Nyantakyi. Adopting a two-prong approach, over 100 applications were received while Appiah and Hugo Broos were headhunted.

Kwasi Appiah has received massive support for his return throughout the search process by GFA.

He is expected to revitalize the Black Stars and lead the team’s revival in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers as well as lead Ghana to the much elusive fifth Africa Cup of Nations title at the Cameroon edition in 2019.

Kwasi Appiah is an ex-Ghana international who played as a left-back for the Black Stars. He began his coaching career in 1993 and holds a FIFA/CAF License A certificate.

Former Ghana international and Cameroon assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko could be appointed as new assistant coach, with Black Stars' first choice shot-stopper at the 2006 and 2010 Fifa World Cup Richard Kingson becoming goalkeeping coach and former Juventus star Stephen Appiah team manager.

But I will label Kwesi Appiah’s imminent appointment as Black Stars head coach as failure. His second coming could be a total disaster to the team after what we witness in Brazil 2014.

 His appointment comes at a point when the Black Stars are almost out of the World Cup qualifying race and the team is in shambles and needs to be very careful in negotiating for his contract. If anything goes wrong under his care the consequence will be unbearable this time.

The strident call from the GFA and Ghanaians for the return of Kwesi Appiah is a good tiding for the gaffer. Kwesi Appiah returning as Black Stars head coach looks like a disillusioned prize in waiting especially since the Black Stars are almost out of the qualifying race for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Avram Grant didn’t leave the team in a good position.

However, know that the GFA and Ghanaians will offer their unshrinking support to the Kwesi Appiah because it a strident calls from them and they have no option than to help him succeed.

                                                                                               

                                                                                                 Twitter @nanaakuab

FULL LIST OF CAF AWARDS 2016

photo: Caf online

 It was a historical moment for Riyad Mahrez on Thursday, 5 January 2017 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja as the Algerian crowned Africa best footballer of the year.

African footballer of the year

1. Riyad MAHREZ (Algeria & Leicester City) – 361 votes

2. Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund) – 313 votes

3. Sadio MANE (Senegal & Liverpool) – 186 votes

Riyad Mahrez Wins 2016 African Player of The Year Award

African Player of the Year – Based in Africa

1. Denis ONYANGO (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns) – 252 votes

2. Khama BILLIAT (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns) – 228 votes

3. Rainford KALABA (Zambia & T Mazembe) – 206 votes

Women’s player of the Year

Asisat OSHOALA (Nigeria & Arsen Ladies)

Most Promising Talent

Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City)

Youth Player of the Year

Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal)

Coach of the Year

Pitso MOSIMANE (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Club of the Year

 Mamelodi Sundowns

National Team of the Year

Uganda

Women’s National Team of the Year

 Nigeria

Referee of the Year

Bakary Papa GASSAMA (Gambia)

Football Leader of the Year

Manuel LOPES NASCIMENTO, President of Guinea Bissau Footba Federation

Legend Award

Laurent POKOU – Former player of Cote d’Ivoire

Emilienne MBANGO – Former play of Cameroon

Platinum Award

His Excellency Muhammadu Buhar President of the Federal Republic Nigeria

Africa Finest XI – Glo-CAF 2016 Award

Africa Finest XI

Goalkeeper: Denis ONYANGO (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Serge AURIER (Cote d’Ivoire & Paris Saint-Germain), Aymen ABDENNOUR (Tunisia & Valencia), Eric BAILLY (Cote d’Ivoi & Manchester United), Joyce LOMALISA (DR Congo & AS Vita)

Midfielders: Khama BILLIAT (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns Rainford KALABA (Zambia & TP Mazembe), Keegan DOLLY (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns),

Forwards: Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), Sadio MANE (Senegal Liverpool), Riyad MAHREZ (Algeria Leicester City)

Substitutes

Aymen MATHLOUTHI (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel), Kalidou KOULIBAL (Senegal & Napoli), Salif COULIBAL (Mali & TP Mazembe), Islam SLIMANI (Algeria & Leicester City), Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma), Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City), Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal).