The US trained coach eye greater things with Rwanda

Sellas Tetteh is the head coach of Rwanda‘s national football team, the Amavubi Stars with a two-year contract with an option of extension. He is the first African to coach the national team and the second Ghanaian to coach an African country.

At 53 years of age, he has tremendous achievements and honours but in his own admission, being the first African coach to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup stand out as his greatest achievement so far.

Born on December 12, 1956 in Adabraka, a suburb of Ghana’s capital Accra, Tetteh attended All Saints Primary School, Bishop Boys Middle School for Secondary Education and Royal Technical College then devoted his life to the beautiful game of football.

"My biggest challenge is to see Rwanda qualify for 2012 African Cup of Nations and confidently I can emulate my former boss Dujkovic (Ratomir), who led Rwanda to their first Nations Cup appearance in 2004,” he states

The 53-year-old had a 15-year playing career, however most of it spent in Nigeria where he played for several clubs which include; C.I.L FC, Apex Mills FC, Lagos Club, Julius Berger FC, African Continental Bank FC, Bendel United, Iwuanyawu National currently Heartland FC and later played for Brothers Union in Bangladesh.

"Not playing for the Ghanaian National team is my greatest regret for a missed opportunity since I was away in Nigeria, however what I was not able to do as a player I have done as a coach,” he painfully narrates

"It was age that ended my playing career then started coaching; the process was transitional because I was still fresh, solid and dynamic,” Tetteh explains 

He started coaching Powerlines FC in 1995 later joining Liberty Professionals FC where he got a solid foundation that has earned him top jobs in his native Ghana.

He was the head coach Ghana Academicals team in 1999, Ghana U-17 assistant coach in 2000 and head coach U-17 in 2002, assistant coach  U-23, assistant coach  Ghana senior team 2003-2008, head coach U-17 in 2007, caretaker  Ghana senior team in 2008, head coach U-20 in 2008-2009 and currently the head coach of the Rwanda national team.

"I have attained a lot of coach training courses in Ghana but was awarded the Licence A and B coaching certificates from the United States Soccer Federation,” says Tetteh

He attributes his great success to many factors as stated in his recent book "MY SUCCESS STORY” that will be soon launched in Rwanda.

"There was not much of a secret behind the team’s strong stability, but first of all I would like to thank God for His blessing and my passion for the job, consistence and will to succeed.

"My motivation to the players and determination also played a part. Good coach-player relationship is so important and this played a great part in a great run that eventually made Ghana the toast of the whole World,” according to ‘The Unbeaten Run’ theme on page 59 of Book.

When asked his take on the proposal made by George Weah being the right person to take the Ghana senior team to the World Cup in South Africa he said that "Its everybody‘s wish to coach his own Country although I attained the opportunity at one time now I want another challenge and that is Rwanda since I’m aiming at taking the team to the African Cup of Nations in 2012.”

His method of selecting players to the team is quite extraordinary.

"I usually want to know everything about the player in every aspect of life including his background so as to secure a place on my team, the act creates strong relations with the team,” Tetteh explains.

"My advice to fellow Coaches is its very important to have confidence and self-belief that you can do it and you must be firm and strict since they are important traits Coaches must have and always try to exhibit,” as stated in His book ‘MY SUCCESS STORY’.

International tournaments he participated in as coach include;

CAF/UEFA Meridian Cup - Italy       2001
African Cup of Nations  –Egypt       2006
FIFA World Cup   – Germany 2006
FIFA U-17 World Cup  - Korea        2007
African Cup of Nations  – Ghana      2008
West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Youth Cup    – Nigeria     2008
African Youth Championship Rwanda 2009
FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt                   2009
His Honours include;
2009 CAF African Coach of the year Award
2009 Ghana‘s Coach of the Year Award

His Favourites

BEST DISH:  - Rice and Chicken and  Ghana‘s kenkey and fried fish with hot pepper
Best Music:  - Gospel and Reggae Music
Best Artist:  - The Late Bob Marley

Quote:  - Kumfa ye kunnu meaning "What is Written is Written”