Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has vehemently refuted rumors suggesting that he harbored animosity towards former Black Stars coach Chris Hughton.
Mr Okraku clarified that his primary focus is the success of the team, and he does not harbor personal biases or preferences when it comes to selecting coaches.
“I don’t hate anyone! I want to be successful. I demand performance from coaches, I want to see a team perform well and win games. This is what I demand from every coach that works for us!” Mr Okraku emphasised this at a press conference in Kumasi.
After Ghana’s disappointing performance at the AFCON 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast, Hughton was relieved of his duties as coach.
The team’s inability to secure any wins resulted in their early elimination from the competition.
During Hughton’s tenure, Ghana’s performance left much to be desired, with only four wins, four draws, and five losses recorded.
With a win-loss-draw ratio of 30.77%, 30.77%, and 38.46%, respectively, the team struggled to maintain consistency on the field.
In the wake of Hughton’s departure, the GFA has initiated a search for a new coach, receiving an overwhelming response of over 600 applicants.
Despite rumors of personal disagreements, GFA President Okraku has refuted any animosity towards Hughton, indicating that the decision to part ways was solely based on the team’s underwhelming performance.
Moving forward, Okraku is dedicated to finding a capable replacement who can guide the team to success.