© Reuters Limited 2001

By Eniwoke Ibagere

PORT-HARCOURT, Nigeria, July 30 (Reuters) - Ghana's coach Fred Osam-Duodu is planning to re-build his side for next year's African Nations Cup tournament.

Ghana were beaten 3-0 by Nigeria in their final World Cup qualifier on Sunday, a result which secured their West African rivals a place in next year's World Cup finals.

Ghana finished fourth in Group B with three wins from eight matches, languishing behind Sudan, Liberia and Nigeria.

"We certainly have to re-build and that's what I'm going to do," Osam-Duodu told Reuters on Monday.

"We have to show commitment, unity and a sense of purpose in trying to take Ghanaian football to its previous greater heights, especially in African football. And the Nations Cup is the best platform for us to do this."

The African Nations Cup, held every two years, takes place next year in Mali between January 19 and February 10.

Ghana, who have won the Nations Cup a record four times, are among the 16 countries that have qualified.

Osam-Duodu, a member of the Ghana team that won the Nations Cup in Accra in 1978, said: "Our defeat by Nigeria showed how ordinary we were. They had all their best players for Sunday's World Cup match but we couldn't get any of ours."

Despite reaching the final of World Youth Cup tournaments in 1993 and 2001, Ghana have never made a World Cup finals appearance.

Joe Aggrey, Ghana's deputy sports minister, said he agreed with Osam-Duodu's plan to re-build. "Our soccer fortunes at senior level have plunged in the past decade and we have to do something about it," he said.

Aggrey acknowledged that frequent changes of national coach had hampered Ghana's progress.

Osam-Duodu, who has been in and out of the job, returned to the post following the recent sacking of Cecil Attuquayefio. He took over from Italian Guisseppe Dossena.