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Sports News of Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Ghana must never beg a player to play for Stars - Grant

Black Stars coach, Avram Grant Black Stars coach, Avram Grant

Black Stars coach Avram Grant says Ghana must NEVER beg a player to play for the Black Stars insisting such a move will destroy the national team.

The Israeli manager says he will NEVER call a player into the national team if he does not want to play for the country.

The Black Stars trainer added that players must convince the country's coach that they deserve to play in the national team before they are invited to play.

Ghana has in the past begged players like Kevin-Prince Boateng and Michael Essien to play for the Black Stars with disastrous consequences for the team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Grant, who has the experience of coaching Chelsea and the Israeli national team, says players must display the desire to die for the country before they are handed invites.

"The players need to convince me that they deserve to be in the squad. I will not convince any player," the Ghana coach Grant, who is experienced at the highest level, told a press conference.

"The day that Ghana begs for players to play - that day Ghana is finished.

"As long as I am here they need to be proud that they are in the team.

"There are three criteria for Ghana call-ups and those are quality, good personality and desire to play for the national team.

"A player cannot play in the national team if he does not have the desire. All players in the squad have these qualities.

"If there is a player who does not want to be here, he can say it to me and I will not call him."

Ghana will seal an early qualification to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with wins over Mozambique over the two-legged ties.

The Black Stars are top of Group H with maximum points from two games.

The West Africans will book their place in the continental tournament in Gabon with wins over the Os Mambas in the two-legged ties.

The Black Stars host the first leg in Accra on Thursday before the return encounter at the Estádio do Zimpeto in Maputo next week.