Former Black Stars attacker, Yaw Preko, has cautioned football authorities against pressing the panic button on Coach C.K Akonnor in the face of the Stars abysmal performance in recent times.
His caution was against the growing discontent over Akonnor’s ability to lead the Stars after their 1-0 loss to South Africa in Johannesburg on Monday.
It was a second World Cup qualifier that sent the South Africans to the top of Group G ahead of Ghana on four points with the Stars in second place on three points.
Akonnor has been criticized widespread amidst calls for his sack following the Stars poor showing and lack of creativity; managing just a goal – Mubarak Wakaso’s goal against Ethiopia in their opening World Cup qualifier at Cape Coast – in their last four matches.
But speaking on Accra based Asempa FM, Preko, who was Akonnor’s teammate when they both featured for the Stars in the 90’s and early 2000’s was optimistic Akonnor could turn the tide around if he was given time to build the team.
“Against South Africa, we started well but as the game progressed the South Africans grew in confidence. They were able to successfully mark out AndreAyew and with the Stars lacking a target-man, our confident dipped, allowing the South Africans the leeway to attack and eventually grab a winner.”
Preko, who had coaching stints with Great Olympics and Medeama in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League (GPL) attributed the loss to South Africa to the absence of England-based quintet Jordan Ayew, Daniel Amartey, Andy Yiadom, Baba Rahman and Jeffrey Schlupp.
“Their absence forced Akonnor to make seven changes to his starting line-up against South Africa just three days after playing Ethiopia.
“The changes were drastic and this cannot be blamed on Akonnor. The situation forced his hand and greatly affected the cohesion of the team,” Preko asserted on Asempa FM.
Preko said the pressure from Ghanaians on Akonnor was imminent since the result did not meet the expected standard but was hopeful Akonnor would bounce back.
Preko asked for more time for Akonnor citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a big factor that derailed his team-building effort.
“The COVID situation made it difficult for him to spend ample time with the team ever since he took over; he only gets three to five days to train with the players.
Preko also felt the expectation on the current crop of Black Stars players was high and therefore contributed to the backlash.
“The truth is that the bar raised by the 2006 and 2010 squad is difficult to attain; so the comparison to the likes of Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Laryea kingson, Asamoah Gyan is unavoidable and it’s obvious they are struggling to meet that expectation.”
Preko stated emphatically that Akonnor was going to lead the Stars to victory in their double header clash against Zimbabwe next month to restore hope in the Stars World Cup bid.
BY NANA BENTSI ODURO