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Sports News of Thursday, 5 November 2015

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

10 players who missed out on Stars call up

Stars coach Avram Grant Stars coach Avram Grant

Ghana will be facing their first hurdle towards their bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup when they face Comoros in the first preliminary round of the qualifier on November 13.

The Black Stars will then return home for the return encounter which has been confirmed for the Baba Yara Stadium four days later.

Avram Grant, in pursuant to this assignment has invited 23 players to undertake this task.

There are however some top performers who, all things being equal, should have been in the squad.

GHANAsoccernet.com makes a case for 10 players who should have been invited.

Adam Kwarasey

Perhaps Adam Kwarasey’s availability is not yet certain otherwise I don’t see why in the world he is not part of the current squad. Aside He featured prominently to qualify Portland Timbers to the MLS playoffs with his consistent displays being recognized by the club’s fans.

The former Stromsgodset shot-stopper is the only amongst those in Ghana’s goalkeeping department playing regular top flight football. Razak Brimah is with lower tier Cordoba while Fatau Dauda has been in and out during his stint with AshantiGold. The silver lining perhaps will be the call up Wa All Stars’ Richard Ofori with his deserved call up.

Enoch Adu Kofi

The case of Adu Kofi remains one of the unsolved mysteries surrounding the Black Stars set up. This is a player who has been seeing regular Champions League action for the past three or so seasons and yet still cannot get into the Black Stars squad.

What happened to the call up of players on merits? Although Malmo FF have been quite poor in their Champions League campaign, the excellence of Adu Kofi is all too glaring.

Mahatma Otoo

He is an example of an in-form player having scored 13 goals in 26 games to help Sogndal secure a return to the Norwegian top flight. Otoo had certainly done enough to merit a call up and even a run out against Comoros but alas, Avram Grant calls the shots.

Godfred Donsah

With a missed opportunity to play for Ghana on his debut call up due to injury, one would have thought time is rife to give the much talked about Donsah a real run out this time around now that he is back to full fitness and playing again for Bologna but then he was snubbed.

Frank Acheampong

A highly talented player, just like Christian Atsu but for a constant run in at international level. He has at least played even more games than Atsu who would certainly have been on the current Black Stars squad if not for his injury. The logic for leaving him out especially with the need to constantly motivate and incentivize breeding talents with call ups is amiss.

Eric Opoku

If he is as good as a lot of people make him to be that he emerged the MVP in the just ended Ghana Premier League, he simply should have been in the squad. Unless handlers believe in the comments of Saif Rubie – agent of Avram Grant – suggesting there was no quality in the domestic game.

Richard Kiss Boateng

He has been more prominent in the TP Mazembe set up who are currently on the threshold of winning the CAF Champions League. This should certainly count for something meaningful, isn’t it the reason why Solomon Asante made the squad? Then why not him also?

Daniel Nii Adjei

The same logic applies to Daniel Nii Adjei. He has been immense for TP Mazembe, only he was given just a few minutes in their epic win over USM Alger in the first leg of the finals. Aside that, he has been influential for the Ravens this season.

Alfred Duncan

Alfred Duncan’s move to Sassuolo at the start of the season was all he needed to rediscover his consistent form which made him the Godfred Donsah of yesterday. He has been very good for the Green and Blacks and is only fair he is given an international shout.

Bernard Mensah

The midfielder has been making cameos for Getafe-where is on loan from Atletico Madrid-in the Spanish La Liga. Mensah has played in the last four matches of the Black Stars but this time Avram Grant says his services will not be needed.