Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says indigenous African national team coaches need to be respected if they are to achieve more success.
Appiah is one of two local coaches at the helm of a team in the semifinals at the 2013 Africa Cup in South Africa together with Stephen Keshi of Nigeria.
“I have totally respect for white coaches but once a black coach is given an opportunity, especially the media, need to put their support behind the black coach as they would have done with a white coach,” Appiah said at Ghana pre-match briefing at Ingwenyama Lodge in Nelspruit on Tuesday ahead of Wednesdays semifinal clash against Burkina Faso at Mbombela Stadium.
“The other most important thing is this black coach must be strong and not allow people to do what they want.
“And most of the times that is what happens with black coaches; people take opportunities to try and push you around, but once you stand your ground you will be fine.”
Appiah, who won gold for Ghana at the 2011 All-Africa Games, was appointed Ghana coach in April 2012 taking over from Goran Stevanovic.
“If they get the support needed, they can do the same things anything any (white) coach would do,” the ex-Ghana captain said.
Appiah is hoping to emulate his compatriot the legendary Black Stars coach Charles Gyamfi who won the Africa Cup three times in 1963, 1965 and in what was Ghana’s last triumph in Libya in 1982.
I salute u you coach.never mind of critics. try n bringback pk boatenh
That Kwesi is racists my goodness!!!
I 100 % agree with Kwesi. Africans still think that they are inferior. How do you expect the white people to respect you if you don’t respect yourself? How do you expect the white people to value if you don’t value yourself. Africans should learn that they also can perform well, just the same as the white people. Africans have the potential to do well if only they can realize their potential. Ivory Coast had a black coach for Afcon 2013 and yet they reached the finals. I don’t know where that coach is now? See now how they performed this year. In the end Africans should learn to respect and value their black coaches.
most of our current players in our national team are patrick phiri’s and peter kaumba’s and george lwandamina’s naturing. these white guys masquerading as coaches just reap where they did not sow.
let us encourange our own please.
I think the problem lies with us Africans, not with the white coaches. I remember how badly Patrick Phiri was treated. If I remember, even Kalusha had no respect for him. Also, I do not think he was paid the same as his successor gets. It is just the way we Africans are. I remember how Adebayor refused to play when Steven Keshi became Togo coach. He demanded that Keshi be fired and replaced with a white coach. The Togo FA suspended and finally fired Keshi, instead of disciplining Adebayor. So even if a local coach tries to stand his ground, he will not necessarily be supported by his FA. On the other hand, they are scared of frustrating a white coach because he will sue them in European courts and FIFA will probably sanction the FA.
You guys should give better examples than Patrick Phiri if your argument is to stick. Phiri was out of his depth as National coach. Under his watch We at one time got eliminated from AFCON by Benin of all teams. Since then have you ever seen Benin at AFCON? That shows you what kind of team eliminated us. Phiri had a lot of time to prove himself but lamentably flopped.
As long as we Africans continue being ignorant about how lowly Europians think of us Africans, and as long as we Africans continue being jealousy of each other, we will ever lag behind: we are in many ways racists against each other…why do we think a europian will care about us more than we can care about ourselves?
Kwesi is right, African coaches understands and know African football better than European coaches. I was for once suprised why Ivory Coast fired the previous coach, Francois Zahoui. His team didnot conceed a goal at the previous AFCON and if it wasn’t for Drogba who missed the penalty during normal play they would have won it. And now they bring in this French guy.
Good observation Kwesi. As long as NIGERIA DOES NOT GET the cup I am fine. Nigerians think they are great despite the confusion in their corrupt nation. They must lose. I support Burkina Faso ( Land of upright people), Ghana or Mali. If Nigeria wins they will become more loud and big headed and our young SA girls will be in trouble with their `weapons of mass distruction`. Phew!
We need to empower our indegenous coaches through positive discrimination.
Local coaches can only gain the required experience through exposure.
Prophets are usually not recognised at Home.