Ghanaians are calling for the head of Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah following the national football team’s abysmal performance at the 2019 African Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.
The Stars crashed out of the competition Monday night after succumbing to a 4:5 defeat on penalties against Tunisia at the knock-out stage, dashing the hopes of millions of Ghanaians across the globe.
The defeat did not come as a surprise to many though as the Black Stars campaign to end the 37-year AFCON title drought began on a shaky foot with the Stars drawing 2-2 against Benin in the Group F opener.
They were then held to a goalless draw by Cameroon in their second game, but managed to beat Guinea Bissau 2:0 in their last group match to finish top of the table in Group F.
Ghana came up against Tunisia hoping to beat the North African nation to qualify for the semis but ended the game with 1:1 draw after 120 minutes of play, thus taking the match into penalty shootout.
Luck was not on the side of the Stars on the night as Caleb Ekuban missed his kick, bringing to an end Ghana’s attempt at annexing the title for the fifth time.
But the end of the Stars in the tournament was the beginning of a new social campaign by Ghanaians to get the head coach who has for years received backlash over his tactical approach sacked.
By Tuesday morning, the Black Stars were atop social media trends under the hash tag #DropThatCoach, with many questioning the competence of Kwesi Appiah to continue as the head coach of the senior national football team.
Appiah who was given the head coach job in 2017 had his contract expire in March this year but the Ghana Football Association Normalisation Committee extended the contract by six more months which is due to expire in September.
He was per his contract required to win the 2019 AFCON.
On the back of his failure and what many critics describe as incompetence, Ghanaians are demanding he is given a sack.
Hahahaha Akwasi Appiah shaa too much a coach that put his faith in a soothsayer instead of working #DropThatCoach
— Yaw spirit sarkcess (@YawSpirit) July 9, 2019
My greatest news this week will be to see #DropThatCoach materialize. Ghana after Nkrumah has proved that the black man is not capable of managing our own affairs
— Odadeε Gen.Lexis Charway ® (@Fifie_Charway) July 9, 2019
Tactically bankrupt I see him to be an ICT teacher not a coach.#DropThatCoach
— Atsu Yao Tsali – Gasonoo (@AGasonoo) July 9, 2019
Coach Kwesi Appiah has had enough opportunity to achieve what he can with @blackstars. He should simply advise himself and resign.#DropThatCoach pic.twitter.com/zBmGI0wRKr
— DDliman (@dd_liimann) July 9, 2019
I wonder if KWASI Appiah is a coach, I think he is more of a scout #DropThatCoach
— Kiki Eban (@kikiebangh) July 9, 2019
He knows nothing about football ❗#DropThatCoach pic.twitter.com/uiKfmNZX5a
— Randy_Nuunu 🇬🇭 (@Randy_Mens) July 9, 2019
Tactless and Clueless #DropThatCoach pic.twitter.com/s4GC3aoo79
— THE LIVING.STONE (@sir_living) July 9, 2019
Change of captaincy didn’t do anything but rather worse performance from black stars.Ghana COACH has really cause us bitterly.superstition does not win cup..#DropThatCoach https://t.co/8UUy5jrlKS
— AKWASI KUSI WUTI WUTI STRIKER (@wutiwuti11) July 9, 2019
Kwasi Appiah is a curse #DropThatCoach
— Analimbey, A. Chris (@analimbeychris) July 9, 2019
Someone told me before the start of the #AFCON2019 that, supporting @ghanafaofficial‘s Black Stars is an extreme sport. All said and done, let’s #DropThatCoach and end the international careers of some of the players. Medaase
— Charles Effah (@Effah_Versatile) July 9, 2019
I believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction. Kwesi Appiah must go #DropThatCoach
— Nana Agyei Sikapa (@NanaSikapaGH) July 9, 2019
The search for a new coach begins now #DropThatCoach
— Prosper Glitse (@ProsperGlitse) July 9, 2019
Kwesi Appiah should not be sacked.
We should get a substantive coach n make him a General Coach.
Let him feel how Asamoah felt. #DropThatCoach— Phil_j (@Phil_Jumpah) July 9, 2019
#DropThatCoach. Kwesi appiah,gyan,Kojo asamoah and boye should all say good bye to the team.
— Balango and Malt. 😘 (@Mrguni_) July 9, 2019
Is not ekuban, u can’t predict penalties..kwasi appiah must resign..#dropthatcoach
— Abiam (@Abiam67878284) July 8, 2019
Truth be told, if Kwesi Appiah had a plan he wouldn’t have taken the spirit of the team(Dede Ayew) off the pitch considering the fact that we were faced with a possible penalty shootout had we equalized which we did…#DropThatCoach #CitiCBS
— Jahman (@Kwabs_J) July 8, 2019
I can’t understand the decisions he’s made all tournament but I gave him the benefit of doubt but he has to go now. I’m Christian so I’ll watch my emotion & tongue but he has to go now, period!#DropThatCoach
— mark a (@atitmarkk) July 8, 2019
By Stephen Kwabena Effah|3news.com|Ghana
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