Le Roy Faces The Axe As Black Stars Coach

Coach Claude Le Roy's reign as the coach of the Black Stars is hanging by a thread after the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) confirmed that the Frenchman applied to be the new coach of Bafana Bafana. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) was waiting for the veracity of the news before any taking action but SAFA's confirmation has handed the West African country the ammunition to fire Le Roy. Le Roy was given an immediate query by the GFA when news of his plot to ditch the Black Stars was unveiled yet he vehemently denied the reports. But Morio Sanyane, spokesman for SAFA, told Ghanasoccernet that Le Roy applied for the post through an agent representing the Frenchman. "We have so far received four CVs including the one for the current Ghana coach Claude Le Roy from an agent representing some top coaches," Sanyane told Ghanasoccernet. "I can't say whether he will be appointed but our next line of action or the substantive coach should be known by 6 May." The confirmation from SAFA is expected to result in some action against Le Roy because of the recent apprehensiveness from the GFA. The GFA tabled a two-year offer to Le Roy immediately after an unimpressive showing at the African Cup of Nations but the Frenchman has still not signed the contract. This action has alerted members of the GFA that he might be eyeing another position and could snub the Black Stars when he gets a better offer. A GFA insider told Ghanasoccernet: "We are actually changing our mind about offering Le Roy the contract." There has been an uneasy relationship between the GFA and the Frenchman and his insistence on using injured Shilla Illiasu in last month's friendly against Mexico raised some doubts over his competence. He was only persuaded to drop the Russia-based defender after a marathon meeting at the GFA headquarters and the latest incident has stretched credibility. Le Roy's indecision led to him selecting injured Shilla for the Nations Cup and the absence of substitute central defenders during the tournament was blamed for the country's failure to win the tournament. The Frenchman has been blamed for the Black Stars unimpressive showing since the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Ghana suffered its most embarrassing defeats in recent times under Le Roy when world football minnows Saudi Arabia thrashed the Black Stars 5-0 last year. He has alienated several players of the Black Stars because of his abrasive ways which is believed to have led to the decision by Sammy Adjei and Francis Dickoh to prematurely retire from the national team even though Dickoh has rescinded his decision. Ghanaian journalists have also not been spared his wrath when questioned about player selection especially on Shilla Illiasu during the recent Africa Cup of Nations.