Former Black Stars head coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor, has challenged locally-based players called up to the national team to prove their worth in training and fight for a place in the starting lineup.
As Ghana prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar, head coach Otto Addo has named three home-based players in his squad: Razak Simpson from Nations FC, Benjamin Asare from Hearts of Oak, and Kamaradini Mamudu from Medeama SC.
Akonnor, speaking to Graphic Sports, expressed his support for the inclusion of local players but stressed that earning a spot on the team requires effort and determination.
“They have been invited, and at training, if they show a good sign that they want to play, they have to convince the technical team that they are not just bench players but are here to start,” Akonnor said.
“If they give the coach that signal, he wouldn’t hesitate to use them because his goal is to play and win matches with the best players available,” he added.
The three local players participated in the Black Stars’ first training session on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium. Meanwhile, the rest of the squad is expected to join camp today as preparations intensify for the upcoming matches.
Ghana will take on Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 GMT. The team will then travel to Morocco to face Madagascar at Stade Mimoun Al Arsi on Monday, March 24.
