Posted by Former Ghana defender, John Painstil has shockingly revealed how current GHALCA chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo had to improvise by using coal tar to write player names and numbers on jerseys every match day during the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Mali.
The Black Stars campaign in Mali was engulfed with controversies, chaos and misunderstanding amongst the players and the technical team. Sammy Kuffour was at then sacked from camp as it was alleged that he sneaked out to a night club.
However, the center back recently revealed that he was sacked from camp because he spoke against the terrible living conditions they had to endure at camp.
John Paintsil, who was a member of the team has in an interview with Kasapa FM also reveal how Kudjoe Fianoo who was Team Manager for the team at the time had to improvise in order for Ghana to honour the tournament. Ghana went into the tournament without even a kit sponsor.
“At Mali 2002 AFCON, it was very sad for those of us in the national team. Although we were eating very well in camp, we never had good technical equipment,” he told Kasapa FM.
“I remember on every match day Mr. Cudjoe Fianoo, who was our team manager then, had to use coal tar to write our names and numbers and all that,” Paintsil told added.
John Paintsil continued that it was so appalling to see counterparts like South Africa and other neighboring countries in Adidas and Puma kits while team Ghana had to resort to wearing “fugu or batakari” throughout the tournament.
The claims from John Paintsil attests recent claims from Sammy Kuffour that they had to endure terrible living conditions at the tournament.
Ghana were knocked out of the tournament after losing 1-0 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the Quarterfinals.
Cameroon were eventual winners of the AFCON after defeating Senegal 3-2 on penalties.