The Ghana Football Association has appointed James Kwesi Appiah as the new head coach of the Black Stars.

Appiah, assistant coach of the Black Stars since 2008, replaces Serbian Goran Stevanovic, who was sacked last month after Ghana’s failure to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The former international defender will meet the Executive Committee of the GFA to formalise the deal.

Appiah led the Ghana under-23 side to victory at the 2011 All African Games.

Ghanaian-born former France international Marcel Desailly had been considered for the post, with media reports in Ghana suggesting he was the favourite for the job.

Despite talks between the parties, they were unable to reach an agreement.

GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi has called on the whole country to support Appiah.

“I think it is very important for all of us, all Ghanaians including the journalist, members of the public and particularly the Football Association to rally behind Kwesi Appiah so that he can succeed,” Nyantakyi said.

“We’re not appointing Kwesi Appiah to judge him and dismiss him on the basis that he did not perform. We would all have failed.

“Our objective is to offer the needed support so he succeeds in this new appointment. And so the FA is fully committed to ensure that all the facilities and all the needs of the coach are provided so he delivers according to the mandate entrusted him.”

Nyantakyi also revealed that “the FA has decided to offer Mr. Kwesi Appiah some training”.