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Soccer News of Saturday, 19 January 2002

Source: AFP

Pay me as well as a foreign coach -Osam

SEGOU, Mali -- Ghana's "old fox" Fred Osam Duodu has tabled just one little request to his employers - pay me as well as you pay your foreign coaches. Osam Duodu told AFP Saturday: "The GFA (Ghana Football Association) should treat me like a white coach, that will include paying me the special salary they pay the foreign coach.

"The difference between what I get and what the whiteman is paid is just too wide yet we are all doing the same job, that includes the huge responsibilities that come with such a job.

"I know my country needs me that is why they have several times called on me to take over the national team," added Duodu, who would however refuse to disclose how much he is paid.

"I am not asking for more money because of selfish reasons but because the other local coaches who will come after me must be better appreciated. It's as simple as that." It is a badly kept secret in Ghana that the highly experienced Duodu is only holding the post until a foreign coach is brought in.

However, the coach said he is not worried about standing down for an expatriate rather he is preoccupied rebuilding the once shining Black Stars to the 2006 World Cup.

"We are working on a team for the future, for the 2006 World Cup. That explains the fact we now have a very youthful side," he told AFP.

"Here in Mali we want to make a good impression but if the chance presents itself we will not hesitate to grab the ultimate prize.

"Every team is here to win. And for us every game will be a cup final."

The average age of the Black Stars is about 24 with as many as five youth internationals led by the highly rated striker Derek Boateng of Greek club Panathiniakos here for a championship Ghana have won four times.

Duodu also had special words for Bayern Munich's star defender Sammy Osei Kuffour, who is here as deputy captain to his namesake Emmanuel Kuffour of Accra Hearts of Oak.

"Kuffour is one of the oldest players in the present group. He has had a very good season in Europe. He is a very important member of my team because he inspires the other players with his commanding presence," he said.