Mauritania’s head coach, Amir Abdou, has reportedly been approached by the Ghana Football Association to take over the vacant Black Stars job.
According to AfricaSoccer.com, he has received a tempting offer of USD45,000 per month. This offer surpasses the proposed USD35,000 offer from the Mauritanian Football Federation for a three-year contract renewal, which has created uncertainty about his future.
The Ghana FA is keen on securing the services of the French/Comorian tactician to replace the recently dismissed Chris Hughton. This decision comes after the disappointing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, where the Black Stars failed to progress from their group.
Abdou’s dissatisfaction with the way he has been treated by the Mauritanian media has further complicated the negotiations. In the meantime, the Mauritanian Federation is reportedly considering Spanish trainer Aritz Lopez Garay as a potential replacement, even before Abdou’s potential departure for the Ghana job.
With Abdou’s current contract expiring on March 1, 2024, there is a sense of urgency surrounding the unfolding situation.
Abdou has previously achieved success by guiding Mauritania to their best-ever AFCON campaign, reaching the Round of 16 after defeating Algeria.
He has also had coaching success with Comoros, leading them to their first-ever AFCON appearance. Notably, they defeated Ghana in the group stage in 2021 but were eventually eliminated by the hosts in the Round of 16.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) sacked Chris Hughton as the head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars, following a disastrous Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) elimination from the group stage.
Hughton‘s side failed to win any of their three group-stage matches, losing to Cape Verde and Egypt and drawing with Mozambique.
The GFA released a statement on their official website confirming the decision to sack Hughton, stating that the coach has been relieved of his duties. The Association’s Executive Council has also decided to dissolve the Black Stars technical team. “The Ghana Football Association will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars,” the association stated
