Local Black Stars coach Maxwell Konadu downplayed questions of a rift with midfielder Yahaya Mohammed during his time as a coach with Kotoko and is focused on securing the WAFU Cup trophy for Ghana.

Mohammed didn't enjoy much playing time when Coach Konadu was at the helm of Kotoko, but Konadu has chosen to ignore the rumours and insists Yahaya’s omission from Kotoko squad during his managerial stint with the Porcupine Warriors was 'purely' on technical grounds.

"It was purely technical. Yahaya is a good player but he lacked the technical abilities as a player at the time," Konadu said on Asempa FM.

"I never had personal duels with him. We share ideas a lot at work but the technical aspect of his game was low and he knows that."

"Now, he is getting better as a player and it shows in our games as he's the leading striker for the Local Black Stars," he added.

Yahaya Mohammed is expected to lead the attack for Ghana in the GOtv WAFU Cup final against Senegal on Thursday.