Bahmed backs FA on Le Roy

Accra, Feb 11, GNA - Alhaji Ahmed Bandoh, Chief Executive Officer of Bahmed Travel and Tours company limited has backed the decision of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to extend the contract of coach Claude Le Roy despite public outcry for his dismissal.

He told the GNA Sports that, the Black Stars have immediate and critical assignments such as the qualifiers for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola and World Cup in South Africa hence there is no need to sack the coach.

Coach Le Roy has in recent times come under intense criticism after the Stars lost to Cameroon by a lone goal at the semi-final stage of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Coach has been accused of being technically and tactically bankrupt, hence the failure of the team to advance to the finals of the tournament.

According to Alhaji Bandoh, sacking the coach at this crucial moment will affect the preparations of the team towards the major assignments as the FA has to go into the market again in search of a new coach. The Chief Executive has, however, called on the FA to conduct proper analysis on the performance of the team in the tournament in order to detect the defects of the team and rectify them before the start of the campaign in May.

Alhaji Bandoh, one of the major contributors to the development of sports in the country, said the performance of the Black Stars in the competition was an indication that they are back to reclaim lost glory. He said it also gives credence to the fact what they exhibited at the 2006 World Cup in Germany was no fluke but a true reflection of the nation's prowess in soccer.

The Chief Executive congratulated the team for winning the bronze medal and urged them to put the past behind them and forge ahead. Alhaji Bandoh congratulated the Government, Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Ghana 2008 for organizing a successful tournament.

He said despite the difficulties at the initial stages of the competition, the even could be described as a success. Alhaji Bandoh said the tournament leaves the nation with legacies that could last for generations, adding that the refurbished and new stadiums built in Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi and Tamale would help to promote sports in the country.