Konadu to lead local Stars in CHAN qualifier

Head coach of the local Black Stars, Maxwell Konadu, is expected back in Ghana today to put finishing touches to the team’s preparations for their upcoming 2016 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) final qualifying round first—leg tie against Cote d’Ivoire at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Konadu, who also doubles as the assistant coach of the Black Stars, is currently in Washington where he was on the bench with his boss Avram Grant for Ghana’s international friendly with Canada at the RFK Stadium last tuesday night but will take charge of the CHAN team when they play host to their Ivorian counterparts on Sunday.

The head of the team’s management committee, Fred Pappoe, disclosed to the Graphic that they gave Konadu permission to travel to the United States while his assistant, Dauda Lutterodt, takes temporary charge of the team in Konadu’s absence.

He stressed that Konadu did not abandon the local Stars but travelled with the express permission of the management committee and is expected to return in time to lead the team to victory.

“Maxwell Konadu will return in time to coach the local Black Stars against Cote d’Ivoire and he left with our consent,” he said.

The winner over two legs will pick one of the three slots for Zone West B which features Nigeria v Burkina and Niger v Togo.

Ghana reached the final of the last edition of the tournament in South Africa and lost to Libya on penalties and will be looking forward to winning it when Rwanda hosts it.