GFA decides on new coach

The final contender for the post of Ghana coach has been undergoing screening in Accra before an FA panel.

Portuguese coach Manuel Goncalves Gomes was interviewed on Tuesday afternoon after missing an appointment in Accra on Monday because of flight problems.

He was quizzed by a panel of eight people comprising technical officials and administrators.

Headed by FA executive member Fred Pappoe, it includes former Marseille star Abedi Pele, GFA chairman Ben Koufie and Sam Arday, who won bronze with Ghana's Under-23 at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

On Monday they interviewed Germany's Burkhard Ziese, who spent an hour giving his presentation.

Ziese, who coached Ghana in 1992, left saying he had submitted plans for the future of Ghana's national teams, and they had not talked about salary or length of contract.

Emmanuel Afranie, who was the first to be quizzed, appeared with a large envelope containing the medals and certificates he has earned through football.

He was subjected to a two and a half hour grilling.

Afranie is the only local coach in the race after the last minute withdrawal of Abdul Razak.

Razak, who was captain of Ghana's 1978 Nations Cup winning side, pulled out over the weekend after his former club Asante Kotoko confirmed him as their new coach.

The Ghana FA has a five-year development plan and want a coach who could manage the program which has the ultimate aim of qualifying the Black Stars for the 2006 World Cup.

But the GFA is also looking for someone with who has experience of coaching in Africa.

Unusually, the association intends to check on the discipinary records of the candidates, after the unexpected departure of former coach Milan Zivadinovic.