The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has swiftly jumped to the defence of right-back Philimon Baffour following massive criticism by football fans questioning his inclusion into the Black Stars.
Baffour, 20, was named in Coach Milovan Rajevac’s 28-man squad for the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon.
Despite being named as part of the provisional squad, the 2021 Ghana CAF U-20 Afcon winner didn’t join the pre-tournament campaign in Qatar. Baffour could only join the team in Cameroon two days to start of the tournament which gave Ghana its worst-ever performance at the AFCON since 1963.
“I think you are being unfair to Philimon Baffour. The young man is a Ghanaian just like every other person. He deserves the opportunity. He is the vice-captain of Dreams FC. He is a U20 champion,” Kurt Okraku told Asempa FM.
Sports connoisseurs including supporters are furious about the player’s consistent inclusion in the Black Stars team considering the fact that he has never been offered playing minutes both under Charles Akonnor and Milovan Rajevac.
On two occasions when the regular starter for the right-back position wasn’t available, Hearts of Oak captain Fatawu Mohammed and Daniel Amartey were used at that position while the Dreams FC player continued to warm the bench.
