Ghana's U-23 side, the 'Black Meteors', limped to an uninspiring draw with Nigeria in the Olympic qualifiers. As such, coach Cecil Jones Attuqauyefio is in real danger of being fired...
The Ghanaian Under-23 team, the Black Meteors, might soon be without a coach if reports coming from Accra are anything to go by.
In the aftermath of the home draw against Nigeria's U-23s at the 30,000 capacity Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, veteran coach Cecil Jones Attuqauyefio is under intense fire from disappointed Ghanaian supporters.
After all, the Black Meteors' chances of qualification for Beijing 2008 now rests firmly in the hands of the Amagloglo of South Africa.
Speaking with a KickOff reporter was Stephen Kwame Yeboah of Sky Power FM in Takoradi. He expressed intense displeasure with the coach’s choice of players.
"Jones has really broken the hearts of many soccer lovers in this country," lamented the radio host.
"He paraded a colourless team against Nigeria in the match. There are at least three qualified players in the Black Stars fold that could have helped this team achieve results today. I don't know why players like Sadat Bukary and Abedi Pele's son, Andre Ayew were not fielded in this match."
"I don't think we have the chance of going to Beijing again. Nigeria will definitely pick the Olympics ticket in Abuja," concluded a highly unsatisfied Yeboah.
Another sports presenter Nana Prempeh of Asempa FM also speaking with KickOff, supposed that Attuquayefio was being subjective to what he termed "a powerful Ghana Football Federation chieftain" who influences his choice of players.
Prempeh continued, "Jones has no power over team selection because he listens to a certain powerful GFA member who often introduces foreign players to him.
"If he had been in total control, he could have won this match. We have better and hungry players who are ready to do the job and ensure we qualify for the Olympics."
Nigeria will engage the South African under-23 team March next year in the last qualifier in the group to determine who progresses as one of Africa’s male football representatives to the Beijing Olympic Games.
