Akonnor and Lamptey to get coaching slots

Accra, Feb 16, GNA - Former Ghanaian internationals, Charles Kwabena Akonnor and Nii Odartey Lampety have been contracted by Premiership side, Eleven Wise to manage the Sekondi-based side till the end of the soccer season.

Akonnor, a former captain of the Black Stars would act as the head coach whiles Lamptey deputises to shape up the fortunes of the club believed to be the third force in terms of support base in Ghana football.


The pair, both 34 have been tasked to help the team to maintain their status in the Premiership which they re-entered after being relegated a decade ago.


Jamil Maraby, Chief Executive of Eleven Wise who underlined the Club's confidence in the pair at a ceremony in Accra on Monday said "we will do whatever it takes for them to succeed. We will similarly ask our supporters and football loving Ghanaians to believe in our dream of re-building the Eleven Wise brand."


The duo's first test would be against defending league champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko in March, when the league re-starts after a three-week break for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for Cote d'Ivoire from February 22 to March 8.


Akonnor who retired from international football in early 2000 said they would collaborate with the media in their quest to have a successful career.

This is the first time the two are coaching any club side in Ghana and Akonnor summed up the feeling when he said "it is a very good opportunity and we are willed to pass this litmus test.


"This is a very big challenge and we must pass it. We realistically understand the fact that we played football at the highest level does not mean we will be good coaches, but we have learnt and been through a lot under many coaches and we yearn to bring our various experience to bear.


"We know as humans, we will make mistakes along the way, but we will equally learn along the way, consult when we must and do out best to pass this crucial test."


Lamptey was the best player in the World Under-17 Championship in Italy 1991 but failed to live up to the hype which saw Brazilian icon, Pele touting him as his successor.


He had been linked with a move to MLS side, LA Galaxy till this latest appointment.