‘Let’s Rally Around The Stars’

Isaac Vorsah
The absence of some key performers in Coach Kwasi Appiah’s 26-man squad announced last Monday at the GFA secretariat has raised eyebrows among some football personalities.

Names like John Mensah, Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, goalkeeper Daniel Adjei, Yahaya Mohammed, Abeiku Ainooson, Awal Mohammed and Isaac Vorsah were absent from the squad that would be representing Ghana in the Summer World Cup in Brazil.

Many have indicated that the inclusion of some of the dropped players could make a huge difference in Brazil.

But former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah appealed to the sporting populace to rally behind the men coach Appiah has selected to represent the nation in South America.

To Stephen Appiah, who together with experienced coach, Sam Arday will be playing the backroom staff role in the Brazil showpiece, Ghanaians should rather give the team their blessings rather than criticism.

‘We should support the team the coach has chosen. He is the man in charge and knows the men who will give him the results. I believe instead of condemning him, we should rather support him and the team,’ Appiah said.

GFA Technical Director coach Francis Oti Akenteng in a post-announcement telephone interview said, ‘As for the list, I personally have no problem with it at all, the coach gave us his criteria and he stuck to it. We are only wishing and praying that those selected will have their days when given the chance to represent the nation.’

Coach Opeele Boateng said, ‘The squad is okay, but for the exclusion of players of the U-20 and CHAN, which could mean we building for the future. Inviting more than 99% foreign based suggests the coach is targeting the ultimate.’

The Black Stars will begin camping on May 20 and are expected to play a local select side in a farewell game at the Accra Stadium on May 23.

Later, they will play Holland on May 31, after which the 26-man squad   would be pruned down to 23. They will later face South Korea in the US before they enplane to Brazil for the soccer festival.

 By Kofi Owusu Aduonum