Former Black Princesses coach Robert Sackey has warned against sacking Black Stars coach Chris Hughton ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) emphasising that even the best of coaches like Jose Mourinho will struggle to yield positive results at the moment for the Black Stars.
The veteran coach was speaking in response to the many calls suggesting the dismissal of Hughton who has failed to impress having taken over in March.
Ghana’s series of disappointing performances continued as they succumbed to a narrow win against Comoros in Moroni on Tuesday sparking criticism from many Ghanaians with a section calling for the sack of the former Tottenham Hotspur defender.
How come the Comoros attacker weaved his way through the #BlackStars defence with ease
— Mutala Yakubu🇬🇭 (@Mutalayakubu10) November 21, 2023
Comoros can’t beat Ghana back to Back 😡
They lead 1-0
C’mon Black Stars 🇬🇭
Chris Hughton unleash Ashimeru now!!! pic.twitter.com/KwxBBuH2rU
Sackey on the other hand believes that even if Hughton is replaced by Jose Mourinho, who boasts a wealth of experience in many top clubs and led them to victory in major trophies including the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League, he would fail.
“We are going toward the end of November and you are talking about appointing a new head coach. It was the same problem we encountered in 2006,” he told Asempa FM.
"Chris Hughton and the technical team should know the profiles of players they want."@KelOwusu on Hughton benching Majeed Ashimeru #3Sports pic.twitter.com/9OIvNxyE96
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) November 21, 2023
“It’s about psyching. How to be able to motivate the players to go and perform. I feel we should keep the coach because it is too late to sack him.”
“If we sack him and even bring Jose Mourinho, he cannot be able to perform because it is not easy.”
Hughton’s future with the Black Stars remains uncertain with several media reports suggesting a plot to oust him even before the commencement of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers but for government intervention.
As the AFCON approaches, Hughton will be hoping to keep his job and make amends for the poor results so far having failed to win a single game away from home soil.
Ghana are pitted against record holders Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique in Group B in the competition which is scheduled between January and February in Ivory Coast