Ghana Appoints Former Captain As New National Team Coach

Former captain of Ghana’s Black Stars Charles Kwabian Akunnor has been named new head coach of the national team on a multi-year deal according to media reports.

The 45-year old former Wolfsburg midfielder was assistant to former head coach Kwesi Appiah but following the expiration of the latter’s contract and the dissolution of the team’s entire backroom staff, Akunnor has reportedly been named to the post.

Akunnor will earn $25,000 and would be assisted by Ibrahim Tanko.

His appointment has reportedly been championed by Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku who is keen to toe the sports ministry line of a local coach for the four-time African champions.

Prior to becoming assistant to Appiah, Akunnor who won 41 caps for the national team was coach of Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko. He’d also coached Hearts of Oak and was considered for head coach of Guinea’s national team.

The Black Stars are currently ranked 47th in the world and 6th in Africa.

Akunnor will be tasked with ensuring qualification for the 2021 Nations Cup and the 2022 World Cup. The Black Stars crashed out in the round of 16 at the 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt and failed to qualify for 2018 World Cup in Russia.