Win Or Lose, Kwesi Appiah Needs Our Backing - Pratt

Kwesi Pratt Jnr., Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, says irrespective of the painful loss inflicted on the Senior National Football Team, the Black Stars by the United States of America at the ongoing FIFA World Cup at Brazil, Coach Kwesi Appiah still deserves commendation. Though sad that the coach’s tactics did not yield the desired results in the Black Stars match against the USA, he however expressed satisfaction with his management of the team since he was handed the job. According to him, the Coach has raised the hopes of local Coaches in the country, ensuring that the locals book a first place in the coaching seat of the national team. He thus called on all Ghanaians to offer him the much needed support even after Ghana's debacle in her opening match against her twice beaten opponent. Monday, June 16 marked the opening game between the Black Stars and the American team, and the Stars were defeated by 2 goals to 1. Following the loss, several soccer fans have questioned his selection when it mattered most but hope the players recover soon to face Germany on Saturday. Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", Mr. Pratt urged Ghanaians to rally behind the first local Coach for the senior national team at the World Cup, saying emphatically that "even if we lose, we still vouch for a Ghana Coach.” He admonished the entire nation not to abandon Coach Kwesi Appiah but stand by his side and continue to fight for the rights of local Coaches for the Black Stars. Commenting on the game itself, the seasoned journalist attributed the Black Stars' defeat at the hands of the Americans to poor concentration in defense and the lack of motivation in the team. He lamented the poor sense of awareness amongst the defenders and questioned the lack of intense vigour he believed, characterizes the Ghana team, adding the team “lost due to lack of concentration within the defense,” unlike the Americans who were combat-ready, he said. “The American team was ready for the match...did you see their appearance when they were coming out from the dressing room?” he asked. He however pointed out that this is not the time to slam the team. “Ghanaians should back them with our strength, our wisdom, our prayer; spirit and everything for them to clinch victory for us… "…this is not the time to criticize the team. This is not the time to raise issues that we may have heard and so on. We have a few more matches ahead of us... We are at their back. We have forgiven them even if they have committed a sin,” he said.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana