“The Neutral One”: Otto Pfister on why he gave AFCON ’92 captain to Tony Baffoe

Former Black Stars head coach, Otto Pfister, says the reason he gave the Black Stars captain’s armband to Tony Baffoe ahead of the AFCON 1992 final against Cote D’Ivoire was because he was the most neutral member of a very divided squad.

The German tactician however, dismissed suggestions that the decision cost Ghana the title.

With substantive captain Abedi Pele suspended for the final in Dakar, Pfister chose Anthony Baffoe to lead the team out, much to the surprise of more senior players such as lead striker Yeboah.

Yeboah revealed in an interview last month that the coach’s decision affected his performance in the final which may have contributed to Ghana’s defeat.

In an interview with Citi TV, the 82-year old Pfister opened up on the controversies of 28 years ago that have seen renewed interest after TV appearances from members of the 1992 squad.

“Team handling is one of the most difficult duties of a football coach. But in Ghana, it’s a special situation with this clan [sic] thing: there are the Ashantis and the Ga-Adangbe people, Kumasi people and Accra people,” he told Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo in an exclusive interview.

“So I thought, to keep out this problem, and maybe it was a mistake, but I gave Tony Baffoe the captain’s armband because he was from Germany and he was out of this whole clan thing. That is why I gave him the captain.

“Baffoe also spoke French and one of the linesmen also spoke French. Just like Abedi who speaks English and French, but Tony Yeboah speaks English and German, and I had to make a choice so I chose Baffoe.

“But Tony Baffoe was also a great player; he played in Dusseldorf and also played with Metz in France. But beyond all that, he was the most neutral. He was absolutely neutral, that’s why I gave him the captain.

“But this was not why we lost the final. It was 28 years ago and I’m sorry to Tony Yeboah for this but I think it wasn’t such a big problem.”

Tony Yeboah revealed in his interview that he was angry with the decision but Pfister said Yegola did not show his anger in front of him.

“We were in the hall, I did not see a reaction from him. You have to remember, in the Africa Cup of Nations final, it was a very stressful situation. Maybe he was angry inside, and I’m sorry for that, but I don’t think that’s why we lost the final,” Pfister concluded.

After negotiating a group that had Egypt and Zambia, the Black Stars of Ghana dispatched Nigeria 2-1 in the semi finals before setting up a meeting with West African neigbours Cote d’Ivoire.

After a 0-0 draw, Ghana lost 11-10 in the penalty shootout.

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Source: Mynewsgh.com/Sports/2020