Coach Bismark Kobby-Mensah question exclusion of local players from Black Stars call-up
Ghanaian Coach, Bismark Kobby-Mensah is not happy no single player from the Ghana Premier League was invited to Black Stars for their upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola later this month.
The four-time African champions, will square off with Angola in Group E double-header this month as both teams hope to secure qualification having played two qualifier matches already. Ghana sit summit of the group but with 4 points likewise Angola.
Newly appointed Black Stars coach Chris Hughton announced his final 25-man squad without a single player from the domestic league despite two slots offered them for the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar. Asante Kotoko SC goalie Danlad Ibrahim and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh then of Hearts of Oak SC were part of the World Cup squad but misses out now.
It’s a worry to Great Olympics head coach Bismark Kobby-Mensah who believes exclusion of local players from the squad does not speak well of the domestic league.
“For now, it does not speak well of our league. There should be a plan and a policy,”
“You cannot name Black Stars squad without a local player. It does not speak well of our league. It does not encourage the local players”, the Black Galaxies assistant coach told Pure FM based in Kumasi.
“I don’t know where this is done but the trust is, it is not right and this does not speak well of our brand.
“There should be a policy that if you invite local players, they have to be encouraged. When we went to the CHAN tournament, the team did not do well but we also saw the Black Stars at the World Cup in Qatar.
“Disappointment will always be there but it does not take away the qualities of these players. There should be a policy if not, these players will always want to play outside the country because once you play outside the country, you will be recognized,” he added.
Ghana are set to host the Palancras Negras at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on March 23 before traveling to Luanda for the reverse fixture four days later days.
Story Kolog Bonaventure