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Soccer News of Friday, 14 March 2003

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Olympics coach quits again

Embattled Accra Great Olympics head coach, David Duncan, insists that it is all over between him and the wonder club.

According to him, circumstances beyond him have compelled him to quit finally, and thus ruled out another surprise somersault as it happened previously.

?I?ve played my part and it?s time to take a bow for good now?, the effervescent coach declared in an interview with the Graphic Sports last Wednesday.

The last straw that broke the camel?s back was the wild reaction by Olympics fans at the Accra Stadium last Saturday after the club?s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Liberty Professionals in an LG Top Four clash.

According to the coach, he had to be escorted from the stadium under heavy police guard before being able to drive his way home.

Even after that incident, his love for the game would not allow him to give up that easily, as he had a meeting with the club?s management last Monday and also trained with the team the following day.

?But after watching what transpired at the Accra Stadium on telly last Monday, my family impressed upon me to step aside?, he stressed.

He disclosed that he relayed his latest decision to his Technical Director, Mr. Fred Pappoe, last Tuesday.

He described the current atmosphere in the club as not being conducive for any effective work following threats by supporters of the club to besiege the training grounds with him (coach) as the target.

Though he talked of a move by management to ensure a police guard during training, he perceives that as not being the solution to the problem.

Having made his intentions clear, coach Duncan now expects co-coach, Abdul Aziz and assistant, Addo, to continue from where he left off.

He explained that though he intended to retain 18 old players, circumstances like injury, suspensions and transfers had reduced the number to nine.

This, he said, has weakened the team, especially where some 10 players he recommended to management for recruitment have not been forthcoming.

Out of the lot, only Dawu Youngsters? defenders Issah Ahmed has responded to the call even through the coach?s own instrumentality.

This, he said, has reduced competition in the team as he now does not have many alternative choices to select from as is the case with every formidable team.

Faced with that challenge, coach Duncan stated that he intended to use the Top Four competition to assess some new players leading to the selection of the good ones to fill the vacuum created.