The former Black Stars gaffer says he has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead the national team on two occasions
Former Ghana coach James Kwasi Appiah has admitted that he is one of the few former players to have had the opportunity to handle the country’s senior national team.
The 58-year-old has managed the Black Stars on two occasions between 2012 and 2014 as well as 2017 and 2019, becoming the only indigenous coach to qualify Ghana to Fifa World Cup in 2014.
Although, Appiah’s contract was not renewed by the new Ghana FA and his former assistant C.K Akonnor has taken over the mantle, he believes he had the best of support from Ghanaians.
“I always keep saying that I’m not even the best coach in Ghana. There maybe other coaches who also good but have not gotten the opportunities I have had. I must also admit that I was very lucky to coach the Black Stars. I say this because I started playing football with many people but I’m the only person to have this opportunity,” Appiah told Otec FM ahead of the launch of his book ‘Leaders don’t have to yell.’
“I was given enough support to succeed and I believe few coaches had this kind of situation so obviously it is not out of order to say I was lucky. The players gave me their respect and support even though some of them were super rich with millions of dollars in their accounts.
“I believe that it is a good beginning and every local coach needs the support of Ghanaians just like I had so that as a country, we can achieve success with our national teams,” he added.
AshesGyamera.com understands that Appiah has opened talks with Sudan and Libya to become the head coach of their national team.