Ghana's Olympic team head coach Akwasi Appiah believes he has restored some pride for local coaches after beating Nigeria to qualify for the 2011 All Africa Games finals.
The 42-year-old led his Black Meteors to edge past Nigeria's Dream Team V 2-0 and advance on the away goal rule despite tying 3-3 on aggregate after losing the first leg 3-1 a fortnight ago.
In recent past, indigenous Ghanaian coaches have come under intense criticisms for failing to get the result with other national teams.
David Duncan failed to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games while Orlando Wellington and Frimpong-Manso could not meet expectations with the Black Satellites and Starlets respectively.
2009/2010 league winner with Aduana Stars, Herbert Addo, flopped with the home-based national team at this year's African Nations Championship in Sudan.
Appiah, who doubles as Ghana assistant coach, claims his success with the national Under-23 team will bring respite to his compatriots in the coaching job.
"I believe that it is about time we start giving confidence to local coaches. I believe that they got to learn but the media will have to help them achieve their aims," the soft-spoken Appiah said in a post-match interview.
Do you think Akwasi Appiah has restored the pride of local coaches?
If not, are local coaches still incompetent?