‘Matured’ Duncan, Akonnor can work together – Jerome Otchere

The editor of Kotoko Express, Jerome Otchere has disclosed that the desire to end Ghana’s trophy drought, create a winning and discipline team should override any difference that may exist between CK Akonnor and David Duncan.

Former Black Stars skipper, Akonnor and David Duncan were respectively named head and assistant coaches of the Black Stars by the FA

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There have been suggestions that there might be a clash of personalities and egos as David Duncan who is the more experienced of the two is a subordinate to the relatively young Akonnor.

Some have gone as far as alleging that Duncan who is known to be ‘principled’ won’t allow the ‘quick-tempered’ Akonnor to dictate to him which could result in a hostile relationship between the two.

But Jerome Otchere who has extensively covered activities of the two coaches has rejected those claims, expressing belief in the two coaches to have a harmonious working relationship.

In a chat with ghanaweb.com, Jerome Otchere told Ghanaians to be excited with the prospect of Duncan and Akonnor working together as a combination of their experience and expertise could help end the over 38-year-old wait for an AFCON trophy.

He said that the coaches are experienced and matured enough to handle whatever difference that may arise in their line of work.

He also called on Ghanaians to offer their unwavering support to the coaches and also appealed to the FA to make available resources and personnel they may need.

“What we want is for them to do a good job. What we want is for the Black Stars to win the AFCON so if a so-called senior will assist a so-called junior at the AFCON to win the cup, wouldn’t we want that than to have the reverse. I will prefer Duncan assisting CK to win the FA to have a different situation”.

“We can talk of a clash of egos, personalities and other issues but we need to look at the people doing the job. I have been close to Duncan and CK and I’m saying that these are mature coaches who know why they have been put there”, he said.

Meanwhile, an Executive Council member of the FA has announced that the technical team will be boosted by another assistant coach.

Fred Acheampong of Ashgold told Citi TV in an interview the team is an assistant coach away from being complete.

“The appointments are not done yet, well the Black Stars at least. We are in the process of appointing a second assistant coach to help both Akonnor and David Duncan. So in the coming days, we will make that announcement once we have done the necessary consultations, Fred Achi as he is affectionately called stressed”.