Nana Oduro Sarfo, a member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council, didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment with Chris Hughton, branding him a ‘bad coach’ in the aftermath of the Black Stars’ underwhelming performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
Hughton, taking charge in March 2023, led the team to the 34th edition of AFCON. Unfortunately, the squad faced another early exit in the group phase, finishing third in Group B with only two points out of a possible nine.
Airing his grievances on Asempa FM, Sarfo didn’t mince words in criticizing Hughton’s tactics, asserting that they didn’t meet the standards expected for the Black Stars. “I don’t want to label Chris Hughton as a bad coach, but he wasn’t up to the task of coaching the Black Stars. His tactics were insufficient. He is a bad coach,” Sarfo expressed.
In the wake of Hughton’s dismissal post-AFCON, the GFA swiftly established a five-member committee with the responsibility of proposing a new coach to the Executive Council. This committee has the crucial task of identifying a suitable replacement for Hughton, who was let go following the team’s disappointing AFCON performance.
The pursuit of a new coach is anticipated to be comprehensive, with the GFA emphasizing the need to appoint someone capable of leading the Black Stars to success in upcoming tournaments.
Hughton’s departure has ignited lively discussions among Ghanaian football enthusiasts, with diverse opinions emerging about his coaching tenure. However, Sarfo’s remarks have stirred controversy, with some critics contending that he was overly harsh in assessing Hughton’s abilities.
Despite facing criticism, the GFA remains unwavering in its determination to secure a fitting replacement for Hughton, with the goal of rejuvenating the Black Stars and reinstating their standing as one of Africa’s premier football squads.