Kwarasey must be guaranteed a place with the Stars - Damba

Ex-Ghana goalkeeper Abubakar Damba wants Adam Kwarasey’s position to be guaranteed as a 'necessary evil' to lure him to end his self-imposed exile from the Black Stars.

The Norwegian-born shot-stopper, who plays for newly-crowned Major League Soccer champions Portland Timbers, has frozen himself out of the national team following allegations of favouritism in the wake of his country’s shambolic performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The former Strømsgodset captain is still angry with Ghana’s goalkeepers’ trainer Nassam Yakubu, accusing him of playing a key role in his exclusion in the Black Stars starting line-up against Germany and Portugal.

The 27-year-old launched a sensational public tirade as he questioned the competence and fairness of Yakubu and wants him replaced before he stages a return to the national team.

Media reports have claimed new Ghana coach Avram Grant has also failed in his bid to persuade him to return to the team amid concerns over the goalkeeping department ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

But former Ghana goalkeeper Abubakar Damba is professing a different solution to the impasse insisting he should be assured of his place in the team.

“It’s long overdue. All that we need to understand is that, in everything that we do; there should be some sense of security,” he is quoted as saying

“If we can do this thing, the fellow becomes relevant in the team which is why I think we need him in the Black Stars squad.”

Calls for Kwarasey’s return to the team have intensified following a breathtaking season with MLS side Portland Timbers.

The Ghana international overly impressed as Timbers went all the way to clinch their first ever MLS title last Sunday.

Doubts continue to grow over Spain-based Razak Brimah while Ashantigold glovesman Fatau Dauda appears not to be a competent replacement.