Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Simeon Okraku has clarified that the selection of Chris Hughton as the new coach of the Black Stars was not imposed on the association.
Okraku emphasized that Hughton was chosen based on his competence and the belief the GFA had in him.
In an exclusive interview with Juliet Bawuah on SuperSport, Okraku dismissed rumors and reiterated that Hughton's appointment as head coach was a result of the GFA's confidence in him. He emphasized the support of the Executive Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for Hughton's role.
Okraku expressed full support for Hughton and the coaching staff, highlighting the importance of providing the team with time and trust to achieve success. He expressed trust in Hughton's abilities and emphasized the presence of a clear plan.
The GFA President also revealed that Hughton had been brought closer to the team before his official appointment to familiarize himself with the players, their culture, and the team dynamics. This strategic move was part of a succession plan, with Hughton being prepared to take over from Otto Addo.
“Chris Houghton is a coach contracted by the Football Association of Ghana. If we didn’t have the belief in Chris Houghton, he will never have been the head coach of the Black Stars.
“So long as he is the coach, he has the support of the Executive Committee, he has the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“We have been very supportive of his works and we will forever continue to give him all the support that he needs to ensure our success. We trust him and the rest of the backroom staff. If we want to win trophies, we must stand by the team, give them trust, and give them time.
“The Executive Committee had trust in him, we were sure about him, and we had a clear plan for him, which we executed.”
Okraku highlighted that Hughton now has a better understanding of the team after spending time with them. The GFA had anticipated Otto Addo's departure and had a clear strategy in place for Hughton to succeed him.
“Before we gave the job to Otto Addo, we knew he wouldn’t stay beyond December, and we had a succession plan, with Chris as his successor. That's why we brought him closer to the team, for him to get to know the players, their culture, and the team dynamics, and to get him ready to take over from Otto Addo.
“It was a very clear strategic strategy that we deployed, and today Chris is in a better position to lead the team than he would have been if we had handed him the responsibility earlier.”
Since his appointment, Hughton has already led the team in two matches against Angola in the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers, winning one and drawing one.
Okraku's statements aim to dispel any misconceptions about Hughton's appointment and emphasize the GFA's confidence in his ability to lead the Black Stars to success. The association stands firmly behind Hughton and the team, with a commitment to providing the necessary support.
