Big Shake-Up On Stars’ Bench

Major changes to the Black Stars technical team are underway with the expected appointment of a technical consultant to advise head coach Ratomir Dujkovic on preparing the team for the 2006 World Cup in June.

Beyond the services of the so-called consultant, respected Ghanaian coaches, Sam Arday and Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, have been contacted to place their wealth of experience at the disposal of the Stars in special roles as 'spies', or the third eye, for the Serbian coach.

Last Tuesday, GFA President, Mr Kwasi Nyantakyi, hinted that the Association was making a frantic search for either a Ghanaian or a foreigner to provide the necessary consultancy for Dujkovic.

Coaches Arday and Attuquayefiowould be restricted to spying missions on the preparations of Ghana's World Cup opponents, Italy, the Czech Republic and USA, and furnishing the Stars coach with detailed information on these teams to aid Dujkovic's planning.

GFA Vice-President and Black Stars Management Committee Chairman, Mr Fred Pappoe, confirmed that the team officials had held preliminary discussions with coaches Arday and Attuquayefio on their new roles even, though the deal was yet to be firmed up.

It was also learnt that Dujkovic had also met with the two Ghanaian coaches to discuss the level of co-operation and assistance he required of them.

The GFA Executive Committee, in evaluating Ghana's Nations Cup performance, prescribed a reinforcement of the Stars technical bench including the medical team to deal with the enormous challenges that confront the team.

As part of the moves to revamp the technical team, another medical officer is to be brought on board to assist Dr Martin Engmann, head of the Stars' medical team, including the appointment of a psychologist.

During the African Cup of Nations tournament, Coach Dujkovic called for an expansion of the technical team to ensure maximum attention for the players.

The GFA responded by first appointing Venezuelan Jose Ali Kanyas as one of the three assistant coaches, including Sellas Tetteh and goalkeepers' trainer Edward Ansah.