GFA imposed players on me when I was Black Stars coach – C.K Akonnor

Former Black Stars head coach CK Akonnor has opened up about the challenges he faced in managing the team’s player selection process, describing it as a frequent source of discomfort during his tenure from 2020 to 2021.

Akonnor, who was dismissed after a poor start to the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, shared insights into the difficulties of justifying his choices to members of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Reflecting on his experience in charge of the national team, he emphasized the tension between his own vision for the team and the external pressures placed on him by the FA.

“As a coach, you draw the list of players you want to use based on what you want to do,” Akonnor explained during an appearance on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show.

“Obviously, other members of the FA will also bring their views on board, but it was sometimes uncomfortable.”

While acknowledging the importance of collaboration in team management, Akonnor expressed frustration over the lack of unity in decision-making, noting that it often created a disjointed environment.

“I understand that they have to look into it and that football isn’t done by one person alone. However, in my case, it wasn’t a situation where we were working together.

It was a mess,” he added. “When I went in to justify my selections, it was always very uncomfortable.”

The Black Stars have long been embroiled in player selection controversies, with fans and stakeholders often questioning the rationale behind certain call-ups and exclusions.

Akonnor’s tenure, like others before and after him, was marked by debates over squad decisions, which only intensified amid the team’s ongoing struggles to return to its former glory.

Ghana’s national team, having failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), continues to grapple with challenges in both management and on-field performance.

The team’s failure to reach the knockout stages of a major competition since 2019 further highlights the difficulties they face in regaining their competitive edge.