Ghana Football Association (GFA) boss Kurt Okraku remains convinced about the decision to name CK Akonnor as the new coach of the national side.
The former Black Stars and Wolfsburg captain assumed duty of the team in January, replacing James Kwasi Appiah whose contract expired at the end of last year.
Akonnor’s appointment was questioned by a section of fans who had concerns about his level of experience. He never previously coached a team at national level while at club stage, his biggest jobs prior were separate stints with local giants Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak.
“First of all, coach Kwasi Appiah exited and we had to decide on who to give the responsibility to,” Okraku explained to Ghana Web.
“The [Executive] Council considered a few names, lots of circumstances were also considered, and then we decided on CK Akonnor.
“I think that C.K AKonnor has paid his dues when it comes to football; [he] played here in the Premier League for Okwahu United and Ashantigold, went to Germany [and] played [for] 12 years thereabout in the Bundesliga, captained Wolfsburg, captained our own national team [Black Stars], came back here [and] coached Hearts of Oak, Eleven Wise, Dreams FC, Ashantigold and Asante Kotoko.
“He’s had varying levels of experience as a trainer and if there is somebody who deserves the opportunity, it is someone who has dedicated himself to the national course.
“He’s risen to the highest level, played at the highest level and coached at the highest level.”
First, Akonnor has been tasked to lead Ghana to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year. The Black Stars have not won the title since 1982.
At the 2019 edition in Egypt last year, the four-time champions, under Appiah, exited the tournament at the Round of 16 following a defeat to Tunisia. It was the first time the Black Stars failed to reach the quarter-final since 2006.
The new coach has also been charged to help Ghana make a return to the World Cup, after the team failed to qualify for the last gathering in Russia in 2018.
Ghana successively qualified for the World Cup between 2006 and 2014.
