Baffoe lauds former Stars coaching switch

Accra, March 31, GNA - Former Black Stars defender Anthony Baffoe has applauded the recent switch on the technical bench of some clubs of some of his colleagues.

Former Stars captain Charles Kwabena Akunnor and Nii Odartey Lamptey are the latest former national stars to opt for coaching and Baffoe insists it's a step in the direction.

Baffoe, the first player born-outside Ghana to feature for the Black Stars told GNA Sports on Tuesday that the decision of some of his colleagues makes them potential candidates for the national Team "A" in the not distant future.

Akunnor and Odartey are in charge of Premier League outfit, Eleven Wise, Mohammed Gargo was until recently a coach of Ashantiold, Kwesi Appiah is deputy Black Stars trainer and Frimpong Manso is second in command of the Black Starlets, national U-17 team.

Former Midfielder Otto Addo is coach of the U-19 side of German Bundesliga side, Hamburg SV whilst compatriot Ibrahim Tanko deputizes for Volker Finke at J-League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds. Having played at the highest level under some of the world's renowned coaches, the former FC Koln defender said the exposure puts them in the right stead for the post.

"These are players who have played under some of the best coaches during their time and the exposure is key to their progress. "I am of the strong conviction that one amongst them can be the next Black Stars coach."

Baffoe, currently a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Football Committee observed that some of his colleagues have the ability to take over from the ageing generation of coaches.

"The Jones Attuquayefio's, Sam Arday's, Ben Koufie's and others are gradually fading out and we need some of these young ones to take over."

"They have served a great source of inspiration to the current generation, and I'm optimistic they will perfectly fill the vacuum."

He also appealed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to get some of them to be attached to the various national youth teams to gain more experience for the tasks ahead.