Deputy minister of sports returns with Black Stars

Accra, July 7, GNA - The Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Mr. Joe Aggrey has said the defeat of the Black Stars by Rwanda in the African Cup of Nations qualifier is a wake up call for the nation to reassess its approach to football on both the local and international scene. He said this is because the football landscape in Africa has changed, in that countries that were once considered "soccer minnows" are now performing better.

The deputy Minister was speaking to journalists on his return from Kigali, Rwanda, after accompanying the Black Stars, who suffered a painful defeat at the hands of Rwanda. He said we need to change the way we do things in order to regain our position, adding, "we should therefore, put our heads together to achieve greater feat."

As to whether the coach must be changed, Mr. Aggrey said in his opinion there was the need for change, since building a team is a process. "There is the need to have a core team to play regularly. In that way, teamwork and cohesion among players could be enhanced."

Mr. Rashid Bawa, Minister of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports said, there is the need to accept the defeat, adding, "it is only in doing so that we could reorganise ourselves to build a better team."