Stars’ captaincy should be rotated … former coach Kwasi Appiah advises Akonnor

Former Ghana coach James Kwasi Appiah has advised new Black Stars boss C.K Akonnor to contemplate rotating the captain’s armband in the wake of controversies over the role.

Perpetually a subject of media discussion, the Stars’ leadership is currently held by Swansea City attacker Andre Ayew who took over from veteran striker Asamoah Gyan under controversial circumstances last year, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Brazil are arguably the biggest national side to have rotated their armband in recent times.

“Sometimes this captaincy issue comes as a result of poor communication from management members or certain people trying to push their own agenda,” Appiah, who was replaced by Akonnor as Ghana coach in January, told Happy FM.

“Looking at our current situation, I will propose we rotate the captain’s armband and also a general captain appointed to speak on behalf of the players.

“Brazil and other countries have made it work, so we can also emulate them.

“We should be careful or else this captaincy row can affect the national team for years to come.”

Only a month to the last continental gathering in Egypt, the Stars were engulfed in controversy as Gyan – Ghana’s leading striker – was stripped of the armband by then Ghana coach Appiah in favour of Ayew.

The displeased Gyan did not take the decision lying down as he sensationally announced his retirement from international duty and would only rescind his stance following a plea by national president Nana Akufo-Addo.

After changing his mind, Gyan was included in Appiah’s final squad for the championship.

However, the 34-year-old was reduced to a peripheral figure at the tournament amid speculation of bad blood between him and the coach due to the captaincy issue as Ghana were eliminated in the Round of 16.

Inter Milan ace Kwadwo Asamoah was named deputy skipper of Black Stars ahead of AFCON but the defender has interestingly not been called up for national duty since the tournament.

Recent reports have linked Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Teye Partey to the armband. – GNA