New Black Stars coach calls for support

Coach Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie, new caretaker coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars, has appealed to the media to support and partner him in building a formidable team to conquer Africa.

He told the GNA Sports in Accra that all Ghanaians especially the media should see themselves as "shareholders" in the new Black Stars and help him to succeed.

The former under-20 coach and a nominee for the Best Coach of Africa prize at the last CAF awards said he welcomes constructive criticisms and suggestions that would help the team to move forward. Coach Afranie takes over from Yugoslav, Milan Zivadinovic who resigned on Monday after three months in office, citing bureaucracy and lack of support from his employers.

The new coach said he plans to bring on board, some local coaches, especially those from the regions, to share ideas and offer suggestions for the good of the nation. "I am even planning to invite coaches whose clubs are performing very well in the premier league so that we could share ideas and look at the way forward," he said.

Coach Afranie said he sees his appointment as a challenge to all local coaches and appealed to them to support him to succeed.

His first assignment will be against Rwanda in an Africa Nations Cup qualifier on October 13, at the Accra Sports Stadium. The Stars are likely to play host to the Harambee Stars of Kenya either on October 8 or 9 in Accra before the big game. The Kenyans have already sent a proposal to the Ghana Football Association for the trail match since they are scheduled to make a transit stop in Accra on their way to Cape Verde. Coach Afranie said he would review the list submitted by Zivadinovic to the GFA for his first assignment.