The Director of Elections for National Democratic Congress (NDC), Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has expressed worry over President Akufo-Addo’s decision to intervene in the affairs of the Black Stars by asking Asamoah Gyan to rescind his decision not to act as the General Captain in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mr Ankrah has posited that the President’s intervention could trigger tension in the team, noting that even though the President’s intervention could be sincere, it could be wrong.
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Speaking on Joy News’ AM show, the former Sports Minister said Coach Kwesi Appiah must be given the authority and right to do whatever he wanted to do that is in the interest of the team.
“Akwesi Appiah knows what he wants and possibly why he appointed Dede Ayew as the team’s captain so we need to allow him to work. This issue [of captaincy] must be handled carefully. My worry is, when the coach takes the decision and the President intervenes, it could bring tension among team members,” he said.
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A meeting between President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Kwesi Appiah over the matter and a subsequent phone conversation between the President and Asamoah Gyan have been interpreted as an intervention to get Gyan to rescind his decision.
Some news portals reported that the President urged Asamoah Gyan to rescind his decision to retire and make himself available for selection by the coach.
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The former minister of sports is, however optimistic that Asamoah Gyan and Dede Ayew will be able to manage their egos in the interest of the people of Ghana.
“We just hope and pray that when they get back to camp they will be able to focus and unite as a team and bring the trophy home. I think we must all help them to focus on what’s ahead,” he noted.
Source: Adomonline.com/Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy
