Those of us who thought the foreign football coach- local football coach debate in Ghana was over would have to revise our notes. The issue is still alive. Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi has made it clear that even though local coach Sellas Tetteh has been mandated to handle the senior national football team Black Stars for their first four World Cup qualifying matches this month it is a temporary assignment and that the search for a foreign coach continues unabated.

In a press interview the FA boss emphasized that Coach Sellas had been told in plain language that he needed more experience to be able to manage the Black Stars and he would have to contend with the junior national team for the meantime. This stance by the FA has come as surprise to many followers of the game in Ghana. Popular opinion is that since Sellas Tetteh has started so well with the Black Stars impressive 3-0 victory over Libya in Kumasi he would be given the encouragement and the opportunity to be assessed at the end of the four matches lined up for the Black Stars this month. It is hoped the FA has not got a fixation for foreign coaches

Many regard the pronouncement by the FA President as ill timed coming in the thick of the crowded programme lined up for the Black Stars that continues on Sunday June 8 against Lesotho in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The match is being played in South Africa because Lesotho has no playing field of international stature.

After Sunday there are two more matches in quick succession for the Black Stars. They play Gabon in Libreville on June 15 with the return in Accra on June 22. The prayer of most Ghanaians rooting for a local coach is that Sellas Tetteh comes out with a clean sheet in order to strengthen his claim to handle the national team on a permanent basis

The question of whether a foreign or local coach should handle the Black Stars is still a major topic for discussion in football circles and some people are so passionate about this issue that it would not be surprising if the National Electoral Commission is called to hold a national referendum on it

Meanwhile I back the moderates who are advising the Football Association to tread cautiously on this sensitive national issue bearing in mind that the game of football is a passion of the nation.