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Ghana FA Chief Backing Dujkovic To Stay As Black Stars Coach Despite Poor Showing In African Cup of NationsSubmitted by Scott Harkness on Fri, 03/02/2006 - 21:42.
Ghana ‘Black Stars’ coach Ratomir Dujkovic has been given the vote of confidence from the Ghana Football Association chairman Kwesi Nyantekyi. Nyantekyi has said that he wants Ratomir Dujkovic to remain as the Black Stars' coach despite the country's disappointing first-round exit from the African Cup of Nations in Egypt. Ghana, who are making their first ever appearance at the World Cup Finals in Germany this year, were knocked out of after in the group stages, after losing to both Nigeria and Zimbabwe, and with their only win being a 1-0 win over Senegal The poor performance has led to radio phone-in programs in Ghana being flooded with calls for Ratomir Dujkovic to be sacked, but Nyantekyi said that he is personally behind the coach staying through to the finals. “We're supposed to meet first thing next week to discuss Dujkovic's future, but my personal position is that the coach must stay,” he told the press. “It will make little sense to sack a coach between now and the World Cup.” Nyantekyi's comments came after ugly scenes at Accra airport when the team returned to Ghana on Wednesday, when the team had to be escorted away from the airport by heavily armed security. Nyantekyi did note that the team had played poorly at the Nations Cup, and maybe they underestimated the competition, and hinted that new players may be brought in, in time for the finals. “Egypt showed that we took players who weren't up to scratch,” he said. “So we need to sift through the team before the World Cup in June.” “Not only do we need to bring back the injured players, but other players who for one reason or the other were not called up for the Cup of Nations.” Dujkovic has insisted that the injuries to their key midfielders such as Chelsea’s Michael Essien, Udinese’s Sulley Muntari and Modena striker Asamoah Gyan, none of whom travelled to Egypt, as well as a lack of commitment, and passion from his players during the African Cup of Nations, were to blame for the ‘Black Stars’ early elimination from the tournament. But Dujkovic has said that he is ready to face being sacked, if that is what the Ghana FA chooses to do. “I have a contract with the Ghana Football Association until after the World Cup that I intend to honour, and which I expect them to honour too,” said Dujkovic. “But if the GFA tell me they are unhappy with me, I have my luggage packed ready to go!” in favorites | email this page
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