Chris Hughton is now the fifth coach to lose his job as coach of the Black Stars under the Kurt Okraku-led Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Having assumed office in 2019 following the Anas Number 12 documentary which took a toll on Ghana football, the senior national team has seen five different coaches who all somehow failed at the helm as they struggled to meet expectations despite their pedigree.
Here is how these men fared during their time in the Black Stars dugout.
James Kwesi Appiah (April 2017 – January 2020):
- Appiah’s second stint as coach saw a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in 2019, where Ghana exited at the last 16 stage. This was the first time Ghana failed to reach the semi-finals in seven consecutive occasions of the tournament stretching back to 2008.
- Despite a brief extension for the 2021 AFCON qualifiers, he was relieved of his duties in January 2020.
Charles Akonnor (January 2020 – September 2021):
- Appointed in January 2020, Akonnor’s tenure faced challenges, culminating in a 40% win rate over 10 matches.
- The final blow came with Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, leading to his dismissal in September 2021.
Milovan Rajevac (September 2021 – January 2022):
- Hired with hopes of success at AFCON 2021 and World Cup qualification, Rajevac’s tenure ended in disappointment as Ghana exited the AFCON group stage.
- Despite success in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, he was sacked post-AFCON.
- In summary, the Serbian gaffer’s initial exploits with the Black Stars which saw them reach the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup could not be replicated as his performance took a nose-dive.
Otto Addo (March 2022 – December 2022):
- Serving previously as one of Rajevac’s assistant coaches, Addo took charge of Ghana’s crucial World Cup play-off against Nigeria, securing qualification for Qatar 2022 on away goals.
- He was later handed the opportunity to lead the team at the tournament which didn’t go as planned. After a mixed bag of results, including two losses which included one against Uruguay, he stepped down following Ghana’s exit.
Chris Hughton (February 2023 – January 2023):
Hughton’s brief tenure concluded with his departure, marking him as the latest departure under the leadership of the Kurt Okraku-led Ghana Football Association (GFA).
- Throughout his coaching stint, Hughton managed to secure only four victories, faced four defeats, and settled for five draws in a total of 13 games.
- He managed four of the six AFCON qualification games and eventually sealed the qualification for Ghana after winning two and drawing two
- His side almost repeated the disastrous show from the previous AFCON as he failed to record a win losing one and drawing two in the group stage and bowing out.
The AFCON exit marks a historic moment for Ghana, as it is the first time in the team’s history to experience consecutive eliminations in the first round of the tournament.
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