Former Black Stars defender John Paintsil has said that the criticism of Ghanaian coaches by GFA President Kurt Okraku should be seen as a challenge rather than a blow.
Speaking to Joe Debrah on Happy 98.9 FM’s “Wamputu” sports show, Paintsil said that Ghanaian coaches need to step up their game and scout players from all over the country.
“We shouldn’t point fingers as coaches but rather advise ourselves when there are lapses,” Paintsil said. “Ghana is a big country and the National team definitely doesn’t belong to one group of people so coaches must focus on every part of the country.”
Paintsil also opined that patience is the best attitude to show towards Ghana’s footballing system as he maintains that the quality of the football culture has dipped but will improve with time.
“Several generations have come and gone and everyone is saying our level of football has dipped because we’re not getting the desired results,” Paintsil said. “For me, it’s all about patience because when you’re under development you don’t get an easy ride. We can look back and say that since the exposé we haven’t had the best of football culture.”
Paintsil further reiterated that coaches need to take criticism and use it as motivation to improve.
“Coaches come and go and sometimes coaches do not criticize their players or club owners in public,” Paintsil said. “They’ll always take the punch. For me, to take the bashes and rectify things subsequently is the best response.”
Paintsil’s comments come after the GFA President Kurt Okraku said during the recent congress that Ghanaian coaches need to “wake up” and start producing results.
By: Jude Tackie
