By Nathaniel Nartey
Former President of the GFA Kwesi Nyantakyi says players more than 30years should not be called up to play for the Senior National Team, the Black Stars. He is therefore making the case for the prioritisation of youth as the major criteria in player selection as well as the recruitment of Coaches for the Black Stars.
Speaking on the GTVsports+ programme “Our Passion Our Game ” on Thursday (February 10, 2022) Mr. Nyantakyi noted that calling players ”more than 30 years old is problematic”. He used an interesting analogy to explain his point.
“Any player over 30 years old is not a player, but a politician, coming into your team with all sorts of agitations. Some Senior players during 2010 camping lost selection in Paris because the young players were good enough for the job”, he stated.
“In the recent past, in each competition that we went to with young players, we did well. In 2010 we went with 8 players from the U20 World Cup-winning team. I am surprised that we didn’t promote at least 6 of those young players (from winning the U20 World Cup) to the Black Stars. We should have done that and given them the confidence to play and they would have gone far”.
He also gave his verdict on the reappointment of Milovan Rahejac for a second time as Head Coach of the Black Stars.
“From what transpired, I would have gone for a very ambitious young coach. The performance of Milo has taught me a lesson that the second coming of Coaches in this country has been disastrous”.
Mr Nyantakyi’s comments on Coach Milo is in sharp contrast to his predecessor Kurt Okraku, who heaped praises on the Serbian tactician following his appointment, describing him as an accomplished Coach and not “try your luck” or “ma try ma kwe” as is said in Ga.
Related Post: https://www.stage.gbcghanaonline.com/sport/government-interference/2022/
