Appiah was in Ashaiman as part of familiarization work by his charity foundation which he launched earlier this year. The 57-year feels the football talent pool in Ashaiman justifies the construction of an astro turf in the area.

“There are so many areas here [in Ashaiman] where we can get an artificial turf  where all the sporting activities can take place so the people can go out there and play.

“Most people in Ashaiman are really good at sports and we need to create these centers to help them and it will help the nation as well,” he said.

Appiah has also partnered German firm JVG-Thorma to construct a solar plant in the same area, valued at $14.5m.

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By: Fentuo Tahiru/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kwesi Appiah to construct astro turf in Ashaiman appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Coach Appiah announced a 26-man squad for the must-win encounter against the Red Devils in Kampala without the experienced duo.

In an interview with the GNA Sports on Friday, he explained that his exclusion of Dede Ayew and Jordan Ayew from the squad to face Uganda in a FIFA World Cup was qualifier in Kampala on October 7 was to give opportunities to other equally good players.

The coach invited seven debutants, including two home-based players to augment his squad, as Ghana faces a herculean task of qualifying to the Mundial for the fourth consecutive time.

According to him, he wants to build a formidable team for the future; hence the dropping of the two England based players.

He said “we know the calibre of Dede and Jordan Ayew already and if we want to build a team for the future, then we need to give other players the chance to also prove themselves.”

When asked whether the duo’s exclusion from the squad was a result of dip in form, he said “no, they are playing well.”

The coach came under a barrage of criticisms from a section of the Ghanaian populace over his decision to drop the duo because of a feud between Appiah and the father of the Ayew’s over captaincy issues in 1992.

He however debunked the rumours saying, “this has nothing to do with that because there’s no issue.”

Ghana lies third in Group E with five points behind Egypt 9 and Uganda 7, with Congo lying at the bottom with 1 point after four matches played.
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By: ghananewsagency.org

The post There are thousands of Ghanaian players I can select from – Coach Appiah appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The six-member panel which has been empowered to look for a new coach will start the interviews this morning as they are expected to meet five coaches over the next three days.

Although the GFA has remained tight-lipped over the identity of applicants for the job and the shortlisted candidates, grapevine sources have told the Graphic Sports that Frenchman Willy Sagnol, former Black Stars captain and coach, James Kwasi Appiah and Belgian Hugo Broos are at the forefront of the five-man shortlist that also includes British Harry Redknapp and former Brazil and Real Madrid star, Roberto Carlos.

Some of the coaches like Hugo Broos is still the head coach of Cameroon and also Micho Sredojevic who was strongly linked to the job is also the head coach of the Cranes of Uganda but they are all rumored to be heading to Ghana for the job.

Leading the race for the job is Kwesi Appiah who is the currently the head coach of Sudanese side Al Khartoum and was named the best coach in the Sudanese league last season.

All these coaches are expected in Ghana this weekend with some of them already in the country.

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By Rahman Osman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Black Stars coaching job: Under-contract coaches sneak into Ghana for interviews appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The ex-Ghana striker will be in-charge of the national team until the Football Association installs a substantive coach.

He will lead the team for next month’s FIFA free date for international friendlies if the Ghana FA finds an opponent.

Konadu acted in the same capacity in 2014 and led the team in two qualifiers to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

He later deputized for his departed boss Avram Grant in the last 18 months.

Konadu has been with the Ghana national team since 2012.

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By: Rahman Osman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Maxwell Konadu named interim Black Stars coach appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.