No one influences me on player selection

Johannesburg (SA), June 19, GNA - Black Stars coach Ratomir Dujkovic has rubbished former Ghana Football Association (GFA) boss Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakole's alleged assertion that he (coach) was being influenced by some "football King makers" in player selection.

" I accept suggestions from those I work with but the final decision rests with me," the Serbian told GNA Sports moments after a 2-0 win over South Africa in the Africa Group Zone Two World Cup qualifier played at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.


He said every player was important and vital ingredient in achieving a maiden World Cup dream "but it is only 11 who can start the game, and that decision rest with me."


Nyaho-Tamakloe was reported to have said on an Accra FM radio ahead of the Ghana-South Africa game that players were being dump on the coach by some interested parties.


"I am a good listener but nobody can influence me," the coach said. He said the win against South Africa was a vindication of his selection, which, he said, is based on the type of opponent the team plays.

Coach Dujkovic said Saturday's victory gives Ghana the upper hand of making it to Germany next year, adding that the dream could only be sealed if the players took the rest of the matches against Uganda and Cape Verde Island seriously.


He said the high altitude training in Kenya before the South African game contributed in no small way in achieving the victory, but said the GT Premier League could interrupt such a similar exercise before the Uganda match in September at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.


Ghana joins South Africa at the summit of Group Two on 15 points, hoping to win the rest of her matches against Uganda and Cape Verde to book a place among soccer greats at the World Cup next June.