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Soccer News of Tuesday, 5 February 2002

Source: GNA

Kuffour urges GFA to employ a foreign coach

Black Stars deputy skipper, Samuel Osei Kuffour, who was expelled from the team after only a single match at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Mali, has urged the soccer authorities to employ the services of a foreign coach to salvage the country's derailing soccer image.

He said the current dismal performance by the four time Africa Champions should not be blame on caretaker coach Osam Duodu alone, but must be shared together with "the three wise men"- Ben Koufie, GFA Chairman, Abedi Ayew Pele, GFA Member and Kojo Quarshie, Black Stars Co-ordinator.

The player who spoke on telephone from his Germany base on GTV's "Bounjour Soccer" and monitored by the GNA Sports noted that Osam had never been his own man and had been heavily controlled by the "wise men".

Kuffour was sacked for alleged indiscipline, after he had vehemently criticized the quality of the Adidas jerseys won by the team and for inciting his colleagues against the handlers.

He said to reverse the current trend, a foreign coach would help because, their employers rarely control them. Touching on the jerseys’ quality, the player still maintained that they were of inferior quality and cited an instance in Germany during the Ghana- Nigeria quarterfinal match when his Bayern Munich coach asked why Osam was in different apparel from that of the players.

Kuffour said he could hardly answer the question and became even embarrassed when he further asked why the number on Ghana's goalie Sammy Adjei's jersey was written with a pen.

On his impression about the quarterfinal match with Nigeria, the player said the young Black Stars did very well but unfortunately lost 0-1. He said the Super Eagles were not that impressive adding that if the Stars had paraded a few experience players they could have carried the day.

On whether he would be willing to feature for the Stars when invited, the player said, "I haven't decided yet I think I need a year to do that."

The Black Stars were kicked out in the quarterfinals after scrapping through the preliminary stage when they pulled a surprise 2-1 win over neighbours Burkina Faso.