dismissal

In a recent interview, Sudan’s Assistant Coach, Ignatius Osei Fosu, voiced his displeasure with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for their decision to part ways with Kwesi Appiah in 2019. Fosu, an outspoken figure in African football, described the decision as “needless” and expressed frustration over the timing and reasoning behind it.

“In 2019, the standard Kwesi Appiah had set for the Black Stars after the AFCON in Egypt, I think that was below his level,” Fosu admitted. “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?”

Fosu pointed to the inconsistency in the GFA’s handling of Appiah’s tenure, arguing that dismissing a coach after a period of improvement undermined the progress the team was making.

“You don’t wait for a coach to do well and then say you’re sacking him,” he continued. “That is why, for me, Kwesi Appiah’s sacking in 2019 was needless. Now, when you look at all the coaches that have come after him, none have outperformed him. It becomes clear that the decision back then was not a good one.”

The remarks come amidst ongoing debates over the direction of Ghanaian football and the performance of the Black Stars under successive coaches. Kwesi Appiah, who served two stints as Black Stars coach, is widely regarded as one of the most experienced Ghanaian coaches. However, his 2019 dismissal, despite qualifying Ghana for the 2021 AFCON with crucial victories, raised questions about GFA’s decision-making processes.

Fosu’s comments highlight the challenges African football associations face in managing national teams and underscore the need for clear, consistent policies that prioritize long-term development over short-term reactions.