You are here: HomeSportsSoccer2009 09 02Article 168512

Soccer News of Wednesday, 2 September 2009

Source: --

Akonnor gets Uefa licence 'B'

Ghana’s coaching future looks very much secured after young manager Charles Kobina Akonnor gained his Uefa Licence 'B' certificate in Germany.

The current coach of top-flight side Eleven Wise was handed his certificate on Tuesday after spending one-month under the tutelage of German football authorities.

The former Black Stars captain was among the 21 who passed their final written and practical exams out of the 25 who participated.

His latest academic achievement is a boost for young managerial career after taking the Ghanaian top-flight league by storm last season.

In just his first year coaching a club, Akonnor led Wise to defeat several established clubs in the country including giants Asante Kotoko.

His performance has attracted interest from Ghana football authorities who are keen on giving him the opportunity to coach one of the junior national teams.

The Ghana Football Association is keen on using some of the former Europe-based players who have returned home to pursue a career in coaching.

This is seen as way to secure the future of coaching situation for the Black Stars as foreigners have dominated the area in over two decades.

But the former Ghana internationals who have experience in playing club football in Europe are seen as the proper future replacement for foreign coaches.

Akonnor started sis playing career started with local sides like Young Hearts - a youth side in Tema, Okwawu United and AshantiGold - then Obuasi Goldfields - before making the move abroad in 1992 with Germany his next destination.

He started with Fortuna Koln in the Bundesliga II where he enjoyed a six-year spell before signing up for VFL Wolfsburg in 1998.

At Wolfsburg, the former Ghana international rose to become the captain in the 2001-02 season. He left Wolfsburg to join SpVgg Unterhaching in January 2004.

He ended time in Germany in 2005 when he moved to Danish side, AC Horsens, helping them gain promotion to the first division.

Akonnor then made another move, this time to join Cyprus' top flight, with Alki Larnaca FC.

The ex-Ghana captain made a return to where it all started in his European sojourn, Germany and in the summer of 2008, he signed for SC Langenhagen, a regional league side.

Before he called it time on his career, C.K Akonnor was presented with a fine opportunity to really pick his steps, which he has gracefully done with his next target still in the football industry.

Capped 48 times for the senior side, the Black Stars, the midfielder who took over the senior team’s captainship from Abedi Ayew Pele in 1998.