Cameroon coach Otto Pfister came under fire here Thursday for setting a bad example by smoking at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi during Saturday's game against Zambia.
The condemnation of the 70-year-old's decision to light up in a stadium where smoking is banned came from the Abibimman Foundation, a local non-government health organisation.
The body issued a statement accusing the oldest manager at the African Nations Cup of giving a bad image to young people in Ghana and Africa at large, the Ghanaian Times reported.
"This negative behaviour must not be allowed to continue in Ghana," the statement insisted.
"We are therefore calling on the Local Organising committee to draw the attention of coach Otto Pfister to his actions."
It recalled that Pfister is a well known figure on the continental football stage, and carries serious influence with the youth of the country.
The silver-haired veteran's impact is such that according to The Times his penchant for wearing trousers and shorts far below the waist started a new style trend known as the 'Otto Pfister'.