Assistant coach of the Sudan national football team, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, has criticized the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) decision to dismiss Kwasi Appiah as the Black Stars head coach in 2019, describing it as a “wrong” move.
Ghana exited the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Round of 16 after losing to Tunisia under Appiah’s leadership. Despite the setback, the Normalisation Committee, led by Dr. Kofi Amoah, retained him as head coach. However, when Kurt Okraku assumed leadership of the GFA months later, he relieved Appiah of his duties, appointing C.K. Akonnor as his successor.
Speaking on Luv FM’s Kickoff show, Osei-Fosu, who worked with Appiah to qualify Sudan for the 2025 AFCON, expressed that Ghana should have dismissed Kwesi Appiah immediately after the 2019 AFCON exit if dissatisfaction with his performance was the basis.
“In 2019, the standard Kwasi Appiah had set for the Black Stars after the AFCON in Egypt, I think that was below his level,” he stated. “That’s why I always say, right after the 2019 AFCON if we had sacked him, I would be okay with that decision as a supporter. But after the tournament, he wins two difficult qualifying games and then you say you’re sacking him, on what grounds?”
Osei-Fosu further argued that the timing of Appiah’s dismissal was inappropriate, particularly as he had started the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign with two wins.
“You don’t wait for a coach to do well and then you say you sack him. That is why, for me, Kwasi Appiah’s sacking in 2019 was needless. Now, when you look at all the coaches that have come after him, none has outperformed him. Then you notice that the decision was not a good one,” he added.
Kwasi Appiah’s tenure ended amidst significant changes in Ghana football administration. Since his exit, no subsequent Black Stars coach has managed to surpass his achievements, according to Osei-Fosu. Appiah has since moved on, helping Sudan secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON.
