Gabby Otchere-Darko, a staunch member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) who is very close to President Akufo-Addo, has suggested that Charles Akonnor was not respected by players and management during his time as Black Stars coach.
And Akonnor also lacked confidence and authority.
Akonnor was fired on Monday evening days after the astute lawyer publicly backed him to continue serving as Ghana coach amid calls for his immediate sacking after the Black Stars lost 1-0 to South Africa.
The defeat in South Africa cost Ghana top spot with many Ghanaians doubting that Black Stars may miss out on qualification for next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
But Mr Otchere-Darko was one of the few notable Ghanaians who jumped to the defence of Akonnor and asked people to support him because, in his opinion, all is not lost as there are four more matches to decide whoever tops Group G and advance to the next stage of the qualifiers where Africa’s five representatives for the tournament will be decided.
“I don’t see the panic for the Black Stars. Losing to South Africa in SA with a return match in hand is by no means a disaster,” the renowned lawyer tweeted.
“We are in good shape with our 2022 destiny pretty firmly in our own hands. Let’s back CK & our men on the field & charge them to work for team & country.”
Since he is very close to President Akufo-Addo, his tweet was interpreted as the government supporting Akonnor.
However, on Monday evening, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) leaders met in a closed-door meeting that lasted for several hours. The result of the meeting was the immediate sacking of Akonnor and his assistants David Duncan and Patrick Greveraars.
The announcement drew lots of reactions, but one that caught the eye of Ghanaians was Mr Otchere-Darko’s tweet, which seem to suggest that Akonnor wasn’t given the freedom to work in the interest of the nation.
He wrote: “GFA parts ways with Charles Akonnor and Assistants – May the next coach enjoy the respect of players and management, work with confidence and authority and make the Black Stars shine to Qatar and beyond.”
A committee led by GFA Vice President Mark Addo has been tasked to find a new coach for Black Stars before Friday.