Charles Akonnor: I‘m my own man

Charles Kwablan Akonnor, head coach of the Black Stars, has dismissed reports of interference in the selection of players by Ghana Football Association (GFA) officials.

Coach Akonnor stressed that he takes decisions to invite players fit to play for the Black Stars with the help of his technical team and not as had been reported in the media.

Rumours have suggested that some highly-placed GFA officials influence call-ups into the senior national team, with Coach Akonnor’s choices being usually overlooked.

But in his reaction, Coach Akonnor explained that he is his own man and only follows due process to discuss his selection with the Management Committee members of the team.

He, however, refused to describe that as manipulation since that formed part of the process of ensuring that the right players were invited to play for the senior national team.

“Yes, I am my own man. I have other technical brains that I consult when inviting players for the team and that is why they form part of the handlers of the side,” a visibly worried Coach Akonnor said.

“I take my own decisions and then discuss the final players with the Management Committee members, but that does not mean there is an interference from them,” he explained.

Akonnor last Wednesday named a 30-man squad for two upcoming international friendlies against Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire next month.

Ghana will first travel to face the Atlas Lions of Morocco in Rabat on June 8, before before returning home to host the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire at the Cape Coast Stadium on June 12.

source: graphic.com.gh