Maxwell Konadu was assigned the duty of a physical trainer in Ghana’s opening 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia on Sunday.

The former Ghana striker was named as the second assistant coach of the Black Stars on the return of coach Kwesi Appiah with Ibrahim Tanko being the first deputy coach.

Many have raised issues over the rationale behind the retention of Maxwell Konadu on the Black Stars’ technical bench.

But the Ghana FA insist his role remains vital especially as Appiah doubles as the head coach of Ghana’s CHAN team.

Konadu who hitherto was the main consultant of the head coach during matches was reduced getting the players properly warmed to make entries.

Ghana is without a substantive fitness coach following the departure of Jamie Lawrence who is usually contracted by the GFA on adhoc basis.

It appears Maxwell Konadu is the one to fill this void until further notice.

He took charge of the pre-game warm up session and was also the one monitoring that of substitutes being readied to come on in the 5-0 drubbing of Ethiopia.

Konadu served as Kwesi Appiah’s only assistant coach during the latter’s first stint in charge of the Black Stars.

He remains one of two surviving members of the technical team in a massive shake up of the department following the departure of Avram Grant.