Kwasi Appiah needs "a bit of roughness" - Ben Koufie

Former Ghana Football Association boss Ben Koufie believes Kwasi Appiah needs "a bit of roughness" in his dealings with the national team.

Appiah, who was appointed to the position following the sacking of Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic after the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, has come under public scrutiny in recent times with some questioning his team selection and tactics.

Opinions are divided over whether the former Black Stars captain is his own man despite leading the Stars to two victories and only losing one game in three competitive outings so far.

Speaking at the official launch of his book titled “Principles of Modern Soccer Coaching” on Thursday, 13th September, Ben Koufie insisted that Kwasi Appiah has what it takes to succeed but added that he needs to be more aggressive.

“A little bit of some roughness will help you, you are too gentle. A little bit of it to push things, to force the pace to ensure that you get what you want,” Ben Koufie said in the presence of the national team trainer.

“And of course be yourself. Don’t imitate anybody. Don’t copy anybody. Make sure that you mind is guiding you. Make sure you are principled.”

The CAF and Fifa coaching instructor further warned Kwasi Appiah that the public will follow his every move once he remains in the hot seat, “what ever you do people are watching you. Whatever you do, you are under the microscope. You are going to be watched. This applies to all coaches.”

Ben Koufie though is confident Appiah will succeed as national team coach but says he needs the support of all.

“I’m confident that Kwasi Appiah will succeed as national team coach of Ghana. We will need the support of everybody because if he doesn’t succeed then it means we are not fit to look after our own selves.

"We have done it before. I was a national coach. Nana Gyamfi (C.K. Gyamfi) still remains as the first coach to have won the African Nations Cup three times.” mer Ghana Football Association boss Ben Koufie believes Kwasi Appiah needs "a bit of roughness" in his dealings with the national team.

Appiah, who was appointed to the position following the sacking of Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic after the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, has come under public scrutiny in recent times with some questioning his team selection and tactics.

Opinions are divided over whether the former Black Stars captain is his own man despite leading the Stars to two victories and only losing one game in three competitive outings so far.

Speaking at the official launch of his book titled “Principles of Modern Soccer Coaching” on Thursday, 13th September, Ben Koufie insisted that Kwasi Appiah has what it takes to succeed but added that he needs to be more aggressive.

“A little bit of some roughness will help you, you are too gentle. A little bit of it to push things, to force the pace to ensure that you get what you want,” Ben Koufie said in the presence of the national team trainer.

“And of course be yourself. Don’t imitate anybody. Don’t copy anybody. Make sure that you mind is guiding you. Make sure you are principled.”

The CAF and Fifa coaching instructor further warned Kwasi Appiah that the public will follow his every move once he remains in the hot seat, “what ever you do people are watching you. Whatever you do, you are under the microscope. You are going to be watched. This applies to all coaches.”

Ben Koufie though is confident Appiah will succeed as national team coach but says he needs the support of all.

“I’m confident that Kwasi Appiah will succeed as national team coach of Ghana. We will need the support of everybody because if he doesn’t succeed then it means we are not fit to look after our own selves.

"We have done it before. I was a national coach. Nana Gyamfi (C.K. Gyamfi) still remains as the first coach to have won the African Nations Cup three times.”