The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly eyeing Mauritania’s head coach, Amir Abdou, as a potential candidate to lead the Black Stars, with negotiations allegedly underway to secure his services.
According to AfricaSoccer.com, the GFA has presented a lucrative offer, with a monthly salary of $45,000, to entice Abdou to take on the coaching role for the Ghanaian national team.
Currently, Abdou earns a monthly salary of $35,000 as the head coach of the Mauritanian national team, with his contract set to expire in March 2024. However, dissatisfaction over wage disparities in Mauritania may sway Abdou’s decision not to renew his contract with the Mauritanian Football Federation (MFF).
In the event of Abdou’s departure, the MFF is reportedly considering Spanish trainer Aritz Lopez Garay as a potential replacement.
Abdou’s coaching prowess was evident during Mauritania’s impressive AFCON campaign, where he guided the team to the Round of 16 for the first time, securing a historic victory over Algeria along the way.
Prior to his tenure with Mauritania, Abdou led Comoros to their debut AFCON appearance, where they notably defeated Ghana in the group stage in 2021 before exiting the tournament in the Round of 16.
Recognizing Abdou’s achievements and tactical acumen, the GFA views him as a suitable successor to Chris Hughton, who oversaw Ghana’s disappointing group stage exit at the 2023 AFCON.
In response to the coaching vacancy, the GFA has established a five-member committee tasked with identifying and appointing a new head coach within the next two weeks.