Kwesi Appiah promises ‘total football’

Kwesi Appiah, Black Star Coach

 
Kwesi Appiah, Black Star Coach
Newly appointed Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah is promising 'total football' for the Black Stars after he was unveiled on Tuesday. The 51-year-old has sealed a two-year renewable mandate with the Ghana Federation.

The ex-Asante Kotoko defender has been tasked to win next year's African Cup of Nations in South Africa and crucially reach the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Appiah is keen to adopt an all attacking and all defensive tactics play to achieve his target. 'My philosophy is all attacking and all defending and that's what I intend to bring to the table,' Appiah said.

'I want to bring total football to the national team and so I will deploy the prayers of everybody to help me succeed as a coach, because at the end of the day, when I succeed, the whole nation will be the biggest beneficiary.

'Discipline is also one of my greatest philosophies and so for any player to work with me, he must be very discipline and ready to work.'

The soft-spoken coach will hit the ground running as the Black Stars tackle Lesotho in a World qualifier against Lesotho on June 3rd 2012 at the Accra Sports stadium.

The coach who prior to his appointment was the assistant coach of the team says his idea is to ensure teamwork and discipline. “I will do it my way, it's my methods. We will work as one unit and maintain team discipline. The team's code of conduct will be binding for everyone.

'I know there will be little pressures and I expect that. I have been around the team for sometime now and I am very much aware of the challenges and pressures that comes with the job.”

Appiah is happy to enjoy the full backing of the entire nation and is confident that he will come good. “It's a pleasure to serve the nation and everyone will feel proud to serve the motherland.

“I want to thank the Government of Ghana, the GFA President, Executive Committee, the media and the entire people of Ghana for having trust and confidence in me. I am a man of few words and my job is cut out to qualify Ghana to the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup.”