Ghana coach Appiah explains the snubbing of local players in latest squad

Prince Narkortu Teye

Ghana coach Appiah explains the snubbing of local players in latest squad image

Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah has shed light on the almost sidelining of home-based players from his latest team.

The 57-year-old's 21-man party for upcoming friendlies against World Cup-bound sides Japan and Iceland includes only one player from the domestic league, Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan.

“It [decision] was purely technical, because when I came in my first six months I invited eight or more players to join the team.

"We believe in giving them the chance to prove their worth, but in this situation [of the ongoing league], we were not ready to disrupt their plans.

"After the American clubs refused, we just decided to hold on with players who were still playing. 

"We have seen some quality players, which we are monitoring and would call them in due time."

But local players were not the only contingent missing from the latest assembly.

“Players in America and one from Kazakhstan were not allowed to join us because of the situation," Appiah added. 

"We took into consideration players whose clubs were still playing, which included local players.

“We didn’t want a situation where you would invite one or two performing player from a club and if the club's results go bad, they blame the Black Stars handlers or the player, so we decided to avoid that. 

"The team would be away for more than a week, where players could have played about four games for their clubs."

Ghana face Japan on May 30 before playing Iceland on June 7.

 

Prince Narkortu Teye