Former Asante Kotoko and Somalia national team coach Bashiru Hayford believes the quality of players available to Ghana’s juvenile national teams is a major factor behind their recent struggles to qualify for and perform well at major international tournaments.
Ghana’s various youth national teams have faced difficulties in recent years, with some failing to qualify for major competitions while others have struggled to make a significant impact when they do qualify. The situation has sparked widespread debate about the development and management of the country’s juvenile teams.
Hayford, who most recently coached Ghana Premier League side Kpando Hearts of Lions, says coaches can only achieve their desired results when they have the right quality of players and the necessary ingredients at their disposal.
“Coaching is like being a teacher. Some students are fast learners while others are slow learners. You have to manage minds,” Hayford told Connect 97.1FM.
“It is not as if my colleagues who are coaching the juvenile teams are not doing well or are not cut out for the job. It is about the things the coach needs to get the results. It is the ingredients of the coaching and the quality [of players].”
Hayford’s comments come at a time when concerns continue to grow over Ghana’s youth development system and the country’s ability to consistently produce competitive teams at the international level.
According to the experienced coach, improving the quality of players available to youth national team coaches must therefore be an important part of efforts to reverse the recent decline in Ghana’s fortunes at juvenile competitions.
