Alhaji Karim Gruzah
Bankroller of King Faisal Alhaji Karim Gruzah has slammed Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah for axing Dede Ayew from the Black Stars squad.
The outspoken football administrator believes coach Appiah should have handled the situation better than just showing the player the exit.
Gruzah has also blamed Appiah’s consistent switching off of his cellular phone to what might have led to the Marseille winger’s failure to join his colleagues in camp.
“Coach Appiah is not a bad person but his continued switching off of his phone is offensive. He has wronged me by putting off his phone, if his phone was on the case wouldn’t have gotten to this level,” he said on Happy FM.
“Tell him to put on his phone. I want to advise him. It is not too late to include the player. He is one of the best players in the team, so I see no point in dropping him.
“Eric Cantona had serious disciplinary issues with the French national team, but the coach at the time accommodated him and his influence accounted for his country lifting of the European Cup in the 90s.
“We need a player of his caliber in the team. We need a fighter, look at the goal he scored against Tunisia in the last Nations Cup?” he added.
Dede’s expulsion was as a result of his failure to join the Black Stars on Monday morning at their Abu Dhabi base for a further medical check-up by Ghana’s team doctors.
The players were given a Saturday deadline to report in Abu Dhabi but Dede could not meet the deadline despite being released by Marseille two days ahead.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars will face their Tunisian counterparts (Carthage Eagles) in an international friendly today.
Today’s game offers coach Appiah the chance to really access his 23-man squad ahead of the competition scheduled for January 19 to February 10.
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