Olele To Get Another Shot - Kwesi Appiah

Richard Kingson

Richard Kingson Black Stars coach, James Kwasi Appiah has hinted he would give goalkeeper Richard Kingson another chance in the team if he finds a club.

Kingson, aka Olele, the most experienced pair of hands, was left out of the Stars’ squad that played in the 2012 African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea-Gabon earlier this year, sparking off wild speculation that his days were over so far as the national team was concerned.

Then, Stars coach, Goran Stevanovic said the goalkeeper who had helped Ghana successfully at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups was dropped because he was clubless.

However, Kwasi Appiah, who assumed office after his unveiling by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) last Tuesday, told graphic.com.gh that 'Kingson still has a chance with the Stars provided he gets playing time.'

“It does not matter which team he plays for. Once he gets a club, plays regularly and convinces me that he is still as good as I know him to be, why not, I’d give him the chance,” Appiah said in an exclusive interview.

He said Olele’s experience could not be taken for granted and would tap that experience as he leads the Stars in their CAN 2013 and 2014 World Cup campaigns.

While Appiah keeps Olele on his radar, he, however, indicated that no one’s place was assured in the team as only players who were active with their clubs, their experience in the past, as well as their performances, would determine their inclusion in his team at any given time.

Particularly, the new Stars coach hopes Chelsea midfielder, Michael Essien, will make a quick decision on his future with the Stars while he will travel to Milan to talk with Kevin Prince Boateng to convince him to rescind his decision to retire from the national team.

The coach, who until his appointment was the Stars’ assistant coach and also in charge of the local Black Stars team, indicated that under his regime, all players would be given an equal chance irrespective of where they played at.

“ Players are effective as the coach makes them. It doesn’t matter where they play. There are some, especially, the local players who need exposure and confidence boost. I’ve watched most of the league matches this season and believe I’ve spotted a number of good materials who can be called up,” Appiah revealed.

The coach, who played as a defender in his days with both Kotoko and the Stars, also admitted the need to find a lasting solution to the left-full back position problem which remains the Achilles heel of the team.