It’s too early to mount pressure on Akonnor – Agyemang Badu

Ghana Under-20 World Cup winner, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has entreated Ghanaians to support Black Stars coach, James Charles Kwablan Akonnor and stop mounting pressure on him.

Coach Akonnor was hugely criticised following Ghana’s 3-0 defeat to Mali in an international friendly on October 9, 2020. The game which was his first game in charge of the Black Stars saw the players playing poorly.

He, however, had an improved performance in the second friendly game against Qatar three days later, thrashing the Asian champions 5-1.

Ghana has Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan and Sao Tome and Principe and Badu believes we should use those games to assess Akonnor rather than the friendly games.

However, he indicated that coaching Ghana’s Black Stars comes with much pressure due to the calibre of players from the country and therefore, Akonnor should be strong and courageous.

“Ghana national teams have quality players. So, if you are coaching a national team like Ghana pressure will be on you and there is nothing he [Akonnor] can do about it. But he needs to be strong, courageous and know the players that can help him to do something, ” he told Hello FM.

“Even if he’s unable to win the trophy, but in his first year the team can play exciting, and convincing football people will have hope in him.

“I always say that it’s difficult playing in Afcon than the World Cup. If a coach can qualify and reach the finals then he’s done well.

“But I will not say it’s too early looking at the calibre of the nation we find ourselves. We all know Ghana is a football nation.

“However, we should not put pressure on him. Let’s wait and see how they will play in at least two games of the qualifiers. If we don’t see that there is improvement or seriousness then maybe we can start putting pressure on him, but for now, I think it is too early to put pressure on him.

“But you know, it’s Black Stars of Ghana, and there is nothing he can do about it, ” he added.

Agyemang-Badu, 29, has 76 caps for Ghana since making his in June 2008 and has scored 11 goals in the process.