If you consistently repeat actions, you will likely get similar outcomes, and to achieve different results, you need to change your approach, they say.
This time-tested piece wisdom has however been strangely applied by the Ghana Football Association, and one can only fear the eventual results.
The fallout from Ghana’s epic failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco was quite odd. It is usually the norm after such monumental disappointments, to see major shakeups within the technical team. More often than not the Head Coach is the first to get the axe, but not Ghana.
After changing 5 coaches in 5 years, the Ghana Football Association took a different approach, opting to sack the Black Stars assistant coaches instead, while retaining the Head Coach, Otto Addo – a move that came as a shock to the Ghanaian football community.
Joseph Laumann, a man who was initially hired as assistant on the recommendation of Otto Addo was one of those sacked, and replaced by the GFA’s Head of Coaching Education and the Head Coach of Ghana’s U-20, Desmond Ofei.
A good choice for many, but not without some valid reservations. For the appointment of Ofei, competence is not the issue, but timing.
His work with the Black Satellites speaks for itself, winning the 2023 African Games and qualifying the team to the AFCON after just a year in charge.
The issue is, 2025 is a very critical year for the Black Satellites, who will take part in the U-20 AFCON, hoping to book a spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time since 2015.
At the same time the Black Stars also face a tough task of booking qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For Ofei to be actively involved in both tasks, seems a lot for someone with his immense talent but limited experience.
The role of an assistant coach cannot be understated. Some of the best managers in the world, move with their assistants as a packaged deal. For example, Jose Mourinho worked with his right hand man, Rui Faria, for 17 years, winning multiple league titles across 4 different countries in addition to European honors.
Head Coaches don’t always have the best solutions to every structural issue and need help, prompting the need for an abled assistant who is mentally and physically present.
During the 2021/22 UEFA champions League group stages, then Chelsea manager paid tribute to a little but highly significant tactical advice given by his assistant Arno Michels, that ended winning the game for his side against Malmo.
Michels’ master plan lifted a stuttering display from Chelsea, who were far more incisive after moving Hakim Ziyech to the left and sending Callum Hudson-Odoi to the right with instructions to break Malmo’s stubborn resistance by putting his speedy dribbling to good use. Ziyech scored the only goal of the game, and was assisted by Hudson-Odoi.
“All credit to my assistant,” Tuchel said. “He had the idea. We liked it. Malmö were defending in a low block. We lost some moments if Callum or Hakim had to switch back.”
If the GFA’s argument that the lack competent assistants cost Ghana a place at the AFCON, why then are they handing the job to Ofei, who already has a lot on his plate and is likely to be overwhelmed, at such an unfavorable time.
Although Ofei himself has played down the complexity of combining both roles, the signs aren’t good.
The Black Satellites arrived in Morocco on Sunday to participate in a mini tournament from March 17-25, a major part of their preparations for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire, next month.
The team is without their head coach, Ofei, who is with the Black Stars preparing for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.
Is this the best way to prepare for such an important competition?
The fact is, one group is bound to suffer as a result of this arrangement, and that’s down to poor planning.
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