Former Black Stars head coach CK Akonnor has shed light on the contentious player selection process during his tenure, describing it as an often "uncomfortable" experience.
Akonnor, who led the national team between 2020 and 2021, was dismissed following a poor start to the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Reflecting on his time in charge, the former Wolfsburg captain revealed challenges in justifying his selections to members of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
“As a coach, you draw the list of players you want to use based on what you want to do,” Akonnor said on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show. “Obviously, other members of the FA will also bring their views on board, but it was sometimes uncomfortable.”
He acknowledged the need for collaboration in team management but lamented the lack of cohesion.
“I understand that they have to look into it and that football isn’t done by one person alone. However, in my case, it wasn’t a situation where we were working together. It was a mess. When I went in to justify my selections, it was always very uncomfortable,” he added.
Player selection controversies have long plagued the Black Stars, fueling debates among fans and stakeholders.
Ghana’s national team has struggled to reach significant milestones in recent years, with their failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 marking the latest setback. The team has not played a knockout match in a major competition since 2019.
