Posted by Over the past few weeks, the debate on who’s Ghana’s Greatest footballer of all time (GOAT) has become intense, with the most mentioned names being Adebi Pele, Tony Yeboah, Asamoah Gyan, Abdul Razak or Osei Kofi.
But former Fulham player John Painstil has brought a very different name into the picture. The former right back named current Black Stars manager CK Akonnor has his best Ghanaian player ever, stating that CK was very talented, disciplined and always rose up to the occasion.
“Football has two things; selfish play and playing for the team. CK was a player who could shoot from all angles. People who don’t believe can go and check out his goals.”
“He can move to the right side and hit with the left. He was scoring 40, 30 yard free kicks. I don’t believe in players who like to dribble the entire field to score. I called that selfish play” Paintsil told Kasapa FM.
“But there are some players when you crucially need them to show up with a goal they do. As a coach, you pick players who will play for the team and I think CK was a team player”.
He went on to back CK’s appointment as the national team’s manager.
“I think it’s the right choice. He has played and knows how the job is. He is a very disciplined man. A disciplined coach will ensure that all his players are disciplined both on and off the pitch.”
CK Akonnor earned 41 caps for Ghana between 1991 to 2001, scoring 12 goals.
Leadership is a very vital part in setting a team up. Footballers who can lead, support, inspire and represent the members of their appointed team fairly and consistently at all times are selected as captains. Sometimes the most experienced or influential member in the team is selected.
But Asamoah Gyan’s case becomes a rare and a special one. John Painstil revealed that Gyan was made captain of the national team by former manager Kwesi Appiah because he was always acting immature, so in order to get the best out of him, he made him the captain of the team.
“In 2013, when we were in camp Kenya preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations, Coach Kwesi Appiah told me that he wants to make Gyan the Captain and I asked was his reason for making him the Captain.”
“Then he said he wanted to see more maturity from Gyan and he believes when he gives him the armband he will be more matured”, Paintsil told Adam Adjei on Kasapa FM’s Dwidwamu Sports.
Gyan was Black Stars captain from 2013 to 2019. He was replaced by Andre Ayew.