Appiah back to reclaim Ghana Black Stars' shine

Ghana’s Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah on Tuesday said he is learning from past mistakes as he settles back into his former post where expectations are high to deliver a World Cup qualification and an Africa Cup of Nations title.

Appiah was appointed in April to replace Avam Grant whose contract was not renewed after Ghana finished fourth at the African Nations Cup in Gabon in February.

He was Ghana’s coach at the World Cup in Brazil but then lost his job thereafter.

“I have always had the belief that no one is perfect and I’m not perfect, but it is important that you always need to learn from your mistakes and try to be a better person, try to come out not repeating the same mistakes you did earlier. So, that is something that I will make sure I implement one way or the other,” he said.

Football association officials say he will have to build a team that will qualify for the World cup in Russia next year and reclaim the team’s glory at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.

Ghana has flirted with success on the back of strong performances at the last five African Nations Cup tournaments but fallen short each time. Their last trophy was in 1982.

“All Ghanaians were calling for his return. He is now in, which means that, one, he has the support of the masses. Now officialdom should give him that opportunity. Whatever he calls for they should sit amicably with him and help him do it and at the end of the day I believe that Kwesi will overcome it and the black stars will be the shining star in Africa again.” said sports journalist, Theophilus Sampah.

The 56-year-old former international fullback has made his way through the coaching ranks at the Ghana Football Association, serving as assistant and twice as caretaker coach, before taking the job full-time in 2012.