Stephen Appiah, the former captain of the Black Stars, has appealed for patience and support for Chris Hughton, the head coach of the Ghana senior national team.
Hughton, a 64-year-old coach, signed a 21-month deal in March earlier this year, but criticism has arisen recently due to the team’s lackluster performances.
Even members of the Ghana Football Association Executive Council, including Randy Abbey and George Amoako, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the national team’s results under Hughton’s leadership. In the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Black Stars have played three games, securing one win and two draws.
Drawing from his own experience of captaining Ghana to its first World Cup appearance, Appiah emphasized the importance of giving a new coach ample time to implement his style of play and philosophy. He pointed out that each coach brings a unique approach to the game, and players need time to adjust and adapt to the new tactics.
Appiah shared his perspective on Prime Sport, stating, “We are in a country where we don’t have patience… We have to know that any coach you bring comes with a different style of play, so the players never get used to a particular play. That is why maybe we are not getting what we want to see [with Chris].”
The former captain also stressed the significance of a robust technical team in modern football. He highlighted that today’s football extends beyond what happens on the pitch and involves the expertise and strategy of the coaching staff. Appiah stated, “Today’s football is not all about what we see on the pitch. The force is about the people on the bench – the technical staff. That is why more teams in Europe have more technical staff than the [playing body].”
However, Appiah acknowledged the financial constraints that may limit the expansion of the technical team, understanding that it ultimately depends on the available resources. He said, “At the end of the day, all this is money. Do we have the money to do that? No.”
Hughton will have the opportunity to prove himself in the dugout in September when the Black Stars face the Central African Republic in a crucial match for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
