Why Milovan Rajevac was appointed as Black Stars in 2008 – Kwesi Nyantakyi recounts

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi has shed light on the decision to appoint Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac as head coach of the Black Stars in 2008.

Rajevac, who was handed a two-year contract, steered the national team to remarkable heights, including qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Under his leadership, the Black Stars came within a hair’s breadth of making history, narrowly missing a semi-final spot after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Uruguay in the quarter-finals.

Speaking in an interview with Lawson FM, Nyantakyi reflected on the persistent challenges facing the Black Stars and the lack of progress in recent years despite multiple coaching changes.

“Our Black Stars have not been performing well. We’ve had five coaches in five years, yet the results haven’t improved. From an outsider’s perspective, it’s clear that things haven’t been great,” said Nyantakyi, who previously served as CAF’s 1st Vice President and was a member of FIFA’s Executive Committee.

He revealed the key attributes that influenced his decision to hire Rajevac, citing the coach’s ambition and resilience as pivotal factors.

“Milovan Rajevac convinced me he could handle the challenges of working in Africa. He shared a story about traveling 1,000 kilometers on a bus with his former club, Vojvodina, alongside the players. That level of dedication resonated with me,” Nyantakyi recounted.

He added that Rajevac’s familiarity with African football and his ability to adapt made him an ideal candidate. “I believe there’s a unique synergy between Serbians and Africans. When Rajevac took charge, he exceeded expectations and delivered outstanding results.”

Despite his success, Rajevac parted ways with Ghana after the 2010 World Cup, taking up a role with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli on September 8, 2010, just a day after leaving the Black Stars.

Meanwhile, the future of current Black Stars coach Otto Addo hangs in the balance following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The GFA’s Executive Council has yet to announce its decision after a lengthy deliberation.