Kudjoe Fianoo used 'coal tar' to write our names on the jerseys during 2002 Afcon - John Paintsil

Former Black Stars defender, John Paintsil has revealed that their Team Manager Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo used coal tar to write their names on their jerseys after every game during the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali.

The Black Stars campaign at Mali 2002 was engulfed with controversies and factions among players.

The former West Ham and Fulham right back in an interview with Accra based Kasapa FM stated that during the Afcon, Ghana had no kit sponsors leaving the Black Stars management to desperately find ways to procure kits for the team.

According to him, Mr. Fianoo, who is the current GHALCA Chairman had to improvise in order for Ghana to honor the tournament in his capacity as the Team Manager for the Black Stars.

"At Mali 2002 Afcon, it was very sad for those of us in the national team. Although we were eating very well in camp, we never had good technical equipment.

“I remember on every match day Mr. Cudjoe Fianoo, who was our team manager then, had to use coal tar to write our names and numbers and all that,” Paintsil told added.

John Paintsil continued that it was so appalling to see counterparts like South Africa and other neighboring countries in Adidas and Puma kits while team Ghana had to resort to wearing “fugu or batakari” throughout the tournament.