Black Stars without a coach as Kwasi Appiah's contract expires

Coach Kwasi Appiah is unsure if he will stay on as Black Stars coach following the expiration of his contract last night, December 31, 2019.

Appiah who returned as Ghana coach in 2017 following his sacking in 2014 was hoping a decision on his future would have been reached by now but there is still no clarity if the GFA and the Ministry would like him to continue.

There have been suggestions in some quarters that coach Kwasi Appiah draws his backing from the seat of government which is why it has become so hard for the FA to fire him.

However, last month, President Nana Akufo-Addo refused to comment on whether or not Appiah should be given a contract extension, claiming any pronouncement he makes will put the Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports in an awkward situation.

The President, during his Meet the Press at the Jubilee House on Friday December 13 said he is convinced that the new FA administration as well as the Sports Minister will make the right decision for Ghana in due time.

Asked by Patrick Osei Agyemang, affectionately called Countryman Songo if he wants the Black Stars coach to stay beyond the expiration of his contract, the president said:

“I think this is a difficult question. If I says 'yes', then it will create something else and if I say 'no', then there is no way they (the FA, Ministry) can act otherwise. So, I will stay away from such matters,” the president added.

Ghana has been on an elusive search for a fifth AFCON trophy since annexing the fourth one in 1982.

In June 2019, Kwasi Appiah led 23 players into the Africa Cup of Nations with a vow to end the wait for the coveted trophy.

It, however, turned out to be Ghana’s worst performance in the last six editions of the tournament with the country exiting at the round of 16 stage.

The below-par performance from the side has largely been blamed on Kwasi Appiah who according to critics has failed to create a winnable side since taking over the team two years ago.

Names such as C.K Akunnor, Ibrahim Tanko and Didi Dramani have been mentioned should the FA decide not to renew Kwasi Appiah's contract.