Thaindian News

Accra, Feb 23 (IANS) The head coach of the Ghana’s national football team, Goran Stevanovic, has made it clear he would not resign after failing to guide the team to the African Cup of Nations title.

He told a press conference here that he remained determined to hold on to his job, saying that he still believed he could get the desired result of winning a trophy in the last of his two-year contract with the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Ghana have not won a major title in 30 years.

“I feel good here and I want to continue here because I think we can build one strong team for the future,” he said at the press conference.

Stevanovic, popularly known as Plavi, also answered questions on striker Asamoah Gyan’s decision to be excused from national duties as well as the lack of discipline in his team.

However, the GFA has deferred any decision on the future of Stevanovic for a fortnight.

GFA President Kwasi Nyantakyi said that the Executive Committee needed extra time to consult all parties after a full consideration of a report on the Black Stars’ participation at the Africa Cup of Nations jointly hosted by the Republics of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea before making a decision on whether to maintain the Serbian coach or terminate his appointment.

“A decision could not be taken because of a lack of time,” Nyantakyi was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

“The executive committee has just considered the reports and we are yet to do consultations with other stakeholders; but in a matter of two weeks, we will be telling you our position on the future of the coach and the members of the technical team,” he added.

Since the Black Stars returned from the tournament, several reports have been made in the media about why the team failed to win the trophy to end the West African nation’stitle drought.

While some soccer fans blamed the team’s disappointing run at the tournament on player indiscipline, others accused the national team coach Stevanovic of poor selection.

Ghanaian Vice President John Dramani Mahama has asked the GFA to provide a comprehensive report on the just-ended tournament. Ghana were favourites to win the Nations Cup but finished fourth after losing the third place match to West African neighbours Mali.