Ghana government minister backs James Kwesi Appiah

James Kwesi Appiah coach of Ghana

Saturday Jul 27, 2019. 13:15

Ghana government minister Daniel Nii Titus Glover has defended senior national team coach James Kwesi Appiah.

The Black Stars mentor has come under pressure following the team’s failure to reach the sharp end of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana got as far as the quarterfinals before being eliminated on penalties by Tunisia, extending their long wait for a first Nations Cup triumph since 1982.

“We must believe in ourselves as Ghanaians,” the deputy minister for transport told Happy FM, as quoted by Football Ghana.

“This has been the philosophy of president Nana Addo. I don’t know coach Kwesi Appiah personally but I have noticed that he is a revered and calm person but he is a competent coach.”

He added, “The four AFCON trophies were all won by Ghanaian coaches so it means Kwesi is capable of doing it again for Ghana.”

“Since the exiting of Kwesi Nyantakyi, our local league has degraded. If we sack Kwesi Appiah, which local coach can take up this job?

“To me, nobody comes close, he is more capable than the rest. Currently in Ghana James Kwesi Appiah is better than any local coach so he should be maintained.

“What Kwesi Appiah needs is our support rather than criticizing. We should give Kwesi Appiah time and chance because he can do the job.”