Abedi Wants to Help Ghana Rebuild

Ghanaian idol, Abedi Pele Ayew has said that he is prepared to come on board and help the national team rebuild for the future, after Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Sudan in a World Cup qualifier.

But Abedi stopped short of saying what office he wants to occupy, reacting to the Black Stars' defeat in Omdurman.

Abedi, who was reported to have turned down an offer to coach the national team last year, said he wants to take up a top job in the football administration.

The three times African player in the 90s said he will not be able to make a comeback and play for the national team after retiring in 1998.

Abedi told local radio that to rebuild, Ghana should spend a lot nore money in youth football and develop the local league, especially the lower divisions.

Speaking on the state of the current squad, Abedi pleaded for the fans to support coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, who is barely two months old in the job, but has lost his first three matches.

Abedi said that Attuquayefio, who led Hearts of Oak to the African Champions League and Super Cup victories, should not take the blame for the defeats against Congo DR in the Nations Cup qualifiers and a 3-1 home defeat against Liberia last month.

Abedi said; "Jones should be given a chance. After we had been patient with an Italian for two years, we should be able to offer the same privilege to our own Ghanaian brother.

Italian coach Giusseppe Dossena made a fine start with Ghana in 1998, after draws with Holland and Greece in friendlies but his 'crime' was failing to win the Nations Cup finals at home and the Under-20 World Cup in Nigeria.

Abedi also condemned the Black Stars players: "I don't think the players are totally committed to play for the country. Their fighting spirit is low and they have made the fans unhappy by losing at home."

In 1982, Abedi was a member of the Ghanaian squad that won the Nations Cup for the fourth time in Libya.

However, the Maestro, as he is affectionately called, was unable to take Ghana to the World Cup finals.

After many years in France, Abedi reached his peak when he won the European Champions League with French side, Olympic Marseille in 1993.

Three years ago he hanged up his boots after Ghana were knocked out of the Nations Cup in the first round.

Defeat to Sudan has dented Ghana's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals next year.