Coach Ziese Refuses To Quit!

The Ghana Football Association and national coach Burkhard Ziese are locked in a dispute after the GFA served him with a dismissal notice.

The GFA informed Ziese that his employment will be terminated on 5 September, in accordance with provisions of his one-year contract.

But the German coach has dismissed the GFA decision as "unacceptable."

Ziese insists he was hired to lead Ghana to the 2006 World Cup and cannot be held solely responsible for the Black Stars' failure to qualify for the 2004 Nations Cup.

He also denied GFA allegations that his management style was responsible for the decision by many foreign-based players to stay away from the national team.

"The GFA's allegations have absolutely no basis.

"It's normal that in a country like Ghana, where many players are available for selection, some would be unhappy but no one can claim I'm responsible for that."

Ziese said he would hold talks with GFA chairman Ben Koufie in order to iron out their differences.

"Koufie and I are old and wise people. We would sit down and talk about this and I believe at the end of the day, we can reach an agreement satisfactory to everyone."