George Afriyie criticizes Kurt Okraku for sacking Kwesi Appiah as Black Stars coach

Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, has voiced his belief that Kurt Okraku made a significant mistake by dismissing Kwesi Appiah from his role as head coach of the Black Stars.

Appiah was let go shortly after Okraku assumed the GFA presidency, following Ghana's exit in the Round of 16 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, and was subsequently replaced by his assistant, CK Akonnor.

Now coaching the Sudanese national team, Appiah recently led his squad to a 2-0 victory over the Black Stars in a 2025 AFCON qualifier, following a goalless draw in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In light of Appiah’s success with Sudan, Afriyie highlighted the wisdom behind his original appointment by the previous GFA administration, led by Kwesi Nyantakyi, and criticized Okraku's decision to let him go.

“We should credit Kwesi Appiah for the good job he has done. He had a strong technical team and good players when Kurt Okraku was voted into office as president of the GFA,” Afriyie stated during an interview with Asempa FM.

He continued, “Kwesi Nyantakyi's administration decided to appoint Kwesi Appiah because we realized that he had deputized two Serbian coaches, and so he has experience.

We should not forget that he even masterminded Ghana's 6-1 win over Egypt to qualify us for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil."

Afriyie also remarked on the circumstances surrounding Appiah's tenure, saying, “What happened in Brazil, we all know that it was not his fault because the Sports Minister was set up to fail.

But when Kurt Okraku took over, he said he didn't want Kwesi Appiah and he convinced Akufo Addo that he must be sacked.”

Reflecting on Appiah's recent victory over Ghana, Afriyie added, “When Kwesi Appiah met Ghana in the AFCON qualifiers, it was a payback time, and he has done that wonderfully well. That is nature.”

Following their recent loss to Sudan, Ghana finds itself third in Group F with only two points from four matches. In contrast, Appiah’s Sudan occupies second place with seven points.

To secure a spot in next year's AFCON tournament, the Black Stars will need Sudan to falter in their upcoming matches against Niger and Angola, while they prepare to face the same opponents next month.