Ghana may contract foreign coach if need be - Koufie

The Ghana Football Association said it would not hesitate to employ the services of a foreign coach to beef up the technical bench of the Black Stars for the Africa Cup of Nations slated for Mali in January next year, if need be.

Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association told the GNA in Accra on Thursday that the doors to contract expatriate coaches have not been shut completely but "we must first make use of what we have locally".

He admitted that much as many Ghanaian coaches may be lagging behind top flying international coaches like those from France, there is the need for them to be encouraged to deliver

"For instance, it would be suicidal to change Coach Osam Duodu after losing just one match in five games. But that is not to say that we wouldn't go in for a foreign coach to help the technical team", Mr Koufie told the GNA.

Since taking over the reigns of compatriot Cecil Jones Attuquayefio a couple of months ago, Black Stars helmsman Fred Osam Duodu lost his only game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Port Harcourt last Month in a World Cup Qualifier.

The coach guided the Stars to book their ticket for Mali 2002 after a shock 2-1 win over the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

Mr Koufie said he has outlined a comprehensive coaching programmes for local coaches and said plans are afoot to attach them to top foreign clubs to gain exposure and more knowledge which will be beneficial to the country.

He said the success of a team depends on a variety of factors, adding that coaching is only an aspect.

The GFA boss stated factors such as equipment, good pitches, and welfare of players among others as equally important in achieving results.

In line with his programme, Ben Koufie said he was going to set up a marketing team that would liase with marketing experts to sell GFA activities and earn a percentage of the proceeds.

He noted that even though Abedi Ayew Pele, a management board member has a lot of international connections it would not be appropriate to let him alone take up the responsibility.