...Kuffour To Get Recall

The new coach of the Ghana national football side believes he has earned his chance to coach the team.

Emmanuel Afranie took up the reins of the Black Stars after the controversial resignation of Yugoslavian Milan Zivadinovic.

Afranie holds the remarkable record of coaching practically every Ghanaian national side from junior to senoir level. Indeed, this is it not the first time he has been at the helm.

He managed the team back in the mid eighties.

Afranie believe his vast experience puts him in a good position to progress with the team, "I think I have worked myself up for this, I merit it, " he said.

"The last decade, I have taken Ghana to the World (Championships)...in Italy in '91 the Under-17s won gold, in '97 in Egypt the U-17s won silver and just last year the Under-20s won Silver in Argentina," he added.

Afranie will have to tackle a number of problems in Ghanaian football, not least how to handle some of the egos and personalities that make up the team.

It's a challenge Afranie believes he is uniquely placed to cope with.

"I have one advantage as a local coach in that 95% of the players that play abroad, have at some time passed through my hands, " he said

When it comes to the most pressing issue, whether or not former captain and Bayern Munich defender Sammy will be able to return to the Black Stars, Afranie has no qualms.

"Well, Sammy kuffour has done nothing to me and he is still playing for one of the world's best clubs...I think when the need arises for me to invite him to join the squad, I will. I must be my own man."