Former Black Stars coach CK Akonnor has opened up about his time at the helm of Ghana’s senior national team, shedding light on the challenges he faced, including alleged interference from officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

In a candid revelation, Akonnor explained that his ability to independently select players for matches was often undermined by external pressures. According to him, certain GFA officials sought to influence his squad choices, a situation he described as frustrating and counterproductive to the team’s success.

“Player selection should be the sole responsibility of the coach,” Akonnor stated. “However, during my time, there were instances where decisions were influenced by others within the system. This kind of interference made my job as coach extremely difficult.”

Akonnor’s tenure as Black Stars coach, which began in January 2020, came to an abrupt end in September 2021 after a series of inconsistent results in World Cup qualifiers. Despite these challenges, Akonnor maintains that his work was often overshadowed by off-field issues, including a lack of autonomy in decision-making.

The former Ghana captain’s remarks have reignited discussions about the GFA’s role in team management and the broader challenges facing national team coaches in Africa. Critics argue that undue influence from football associations not only undermines the authority of coaches but also hampers the growth of the team.

Akonnor’s revelations highlight the need for structural reforms within the GFA to ensure that coaches can work without interference, paving the way for improved performance on the international stage.