Ghana Premier League champions Bibiani Gold Stars have officially terminated their partnership with head coach Stephen Frimpong Manso, bringing an abrupt end to what had been a remarkable journey that culminated in the club’s maiden top-flight title.
The decision comes in the immediate aftermath of their disappointing 2-0 first-leg defeat to Algerian giants JS Kabylie in the CAF Champions League preliminary round at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The separation, described as mutual by both parties, was confirmed by multiple media outlets, including Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM, signaling the end of Manso’s tenure that began in December 2023.
The 2-0 loss to JS Kabylie has left the Miners facing an almost insurmountable task in their maiden continental campaign, with goals from Medhi Merghem in the 21st minute and a second-half strike effectively putting the tie beyond reach ahead of the return leg in Algeria.
Manso’s departure marks a significant turning point for the Western North Region-based club, who achieved the impossible by winning their first-ever Ghana Premier League title just months ago under his guidance.
The veteran tactician transformed Gold Stars from Division One League contenders into champions of Ghana’s elite division, a feat that will forever be etched in the club’s history books.
The CAF Champions League defeat exposed several tactical and technical deficiencies that ultimately cost Manso his position.
In his post-match assessment, the outgoing coach had attributed the loss to “poor passing and first-half errors,” acknowledging that his team struggled to impose themselves against the experienced Algerian outfit.
The Ghana Premier League champions appeared overwhelmed by the occasion, failing to create meaningful chances while making costly, defensive mistakes that JS Kabylie ruthlessly exploited.
The defeat was particularly painful given that Gold Stars were forced to play their “home” fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium due to their traditional Dun’s Park not meeting CAF standards for continental competition.
This venue change may have disrupted the team’s rhythm and contributed to their below-par performance against opponents who, despite their poor domestic form in Algeria, demonstrated superior continental experience.
Reports suggest that former Black Stars assistant coach Maxwell Konadu is being lined up as Manso’s replacement, bringing vast experience in Ghanaian football to help steady the ship.
Konadu is expected to “bring stability” to a club that now faces the challenging task of overturning a two-goal deficit in hostile territory while managing the disruption caused by this coaching change.
The timing of Manso’s departure raises questions about the club’s ambitions and patience levels. Having achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and subsequently delivering the championship, expectations had soared for Gold Stars’ continental debut.
However, the harsh realities of African football have quickly brought them back to earth, highlighting the gap between domestic success and continental competitiveness.
For Manso, who had previously resigned from his role as Ghana U-17 head coach to focus solely on Gold Stars, this represents a bitter end to what should have been a celebratory period.
His legacy at the club remains intact through the historic league triumph, but his inability to translate that success to the continental stage ultimately proved costly.
As Bibiani Gold Stars prepare for what appears to be a hopeless second leg against JS Kabylie, the new coaching setup faces the immediate challenge of restoring confidence and planning for life beyond this continental disappointment while ensuring their domestic form doesn’t suffer from this upheaval.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
