By Micheal oti Adjei BBC Sport, Accra

Mariano Barreto left Ghana to take up a job in Portugal

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed Sam Arday to take charge of the country's next World Cup qualifier against DR Congo on 10 October.

He takes over from Portuguese Mariano Barreto, who quit the post to take up a job with Portuguese first division side Maritimo.

It will be Arday's second stint in charge, as he had managed the Black Stars for two games in the 1998 World Cup qualifiers before he was replaced by Dutchman Rinus Israel.

He also guided Ghana to a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Arday, who had turned down several offers to return to the Black Stars, said he had been under a lot of pressure to take up the interim appointment.

"It was difficult for me to accept this but the GFA and the sports ministry pleaded with me to take charge for this one game," he told BBC Sport.

"It's a very difficult challenge, considering how Barreto left.

"The players have been with him for sometime now and developed a certain bond.

"It could be difficult for them to accommodate a new person," he said.

But he is hopeful that the players will adjust quickly to the prevailing situation and ensure the country hold onto their leadership in Group Two of World Cup qualifying.

"I have already told the GFA that we must work on the psychology of the players.

"But my advantage is that most of the players know me.