Black Stars coach CK Akonnor has received plaudits from large sections of the football fraternity over his selection of captains for the team.
The 45 year old trainer asserted his authority by instituting a new leadership structure on Sunday.
Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew who led Ghana to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt has been retained as captain.
Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid has been appointed as 1st Vice Captain while Richard Ofori steps in as 2nd Vice Captain.
The trio will lead the team as the Black Stars go through the remaining Africa Cup of Nation qualifiers as well as the qualifying games for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and subsequent tournaments.
To this end, Chairman of the Black Stars management committee and Executive Council member, George Amoako has publicly endorsed Akonnor’s decision.
“It is the responsibility of the head coach of the Black Stars to determine the leadership of the playing body. It is their right so when they bring it and you don’t have a substantial case against it, you only have to pray that it works” he said in an interview with Nhyira FM.
Experienced Ghanaian gaffer, Prince Koffie also gave his support to Akonnor for retaining Andre Ayew as substantive captain.
“I think it is a step in the right direction by Coach CK Akonnor, we all know the pedigree of Dede as far as the Senior National Team is concerned.”
“Additionally, Dede possesses a great deal of leadership acumen both on and off the pitch” he outlined on on AGBOO 92.9 FM.
Ex Fulham defender John Paintsil who was a key member of the Black Stars squad from 2002 to 2013 has thrown his weight of support behind Akonnor’s decision.
“The coach who is leading knows who to pick us his leaders. So if he picks somebody to lead it doesn’t mean those who were not picked are not good or qualified”, he said in an interview on Happy FM.
“There are some players who are not outspoken and it becomes a problem for a coach when he picks someone like that to lead the team. So he needs to pick someone who can command the players. So if this list is coming from them it is the right thing”, he added.
