Dishonesty in Black Stars call-up damaging – Coach Nimley

The untruth nature of selecting players for Ghana’s senior national soccer team, the Black Stars continues to be the reason why the team is dropping in playing quality football, Ghanaian football coach and sports pundit, Christopher Nimley has said.

The experienced coach in an article said until the Black Stars technical handlers are honest in their squad selection, Ghana’s AFCON drought is certain to continue.

This follows Ghana’s qualification to AFCON 2022 after drawing with 1:1 with South Africa and scoring Sao Tome 3:1 at the Accra Sports Stadium last Sunday.

“Eleven years ago, the Black Stars of Ghana were the envy of many African countries as they made the continent proud at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The Black Stars of Ghana was just a kick away from making history but for that penalty miss against Uruguay.

“Years down the line, the team has cracks, one that has left a lot of questions on the minds of football fanatics, and pundits in the country. Why? The team has lost its class. The squad depth is not as deadly as it used to be and above all, there is the conversation of manipulation in team selections” part of his write-up reads.

It continues, “In 2010, Sulley Muntari, who won the UEFA Champions League was sitting on the bench during our FIFA World Cup exploits. Today, you cannot even point out a proven winner in this Black Stars team. What happened to all of that class, pedigree we had when calling players for a game?

“Time and again, football pundits share their views on who they think deserves to be called to the senior national team, the Black Stars of Ghana. Not that they are better in coaching, but a simple research will show you who the best performing Ghanaians in the world are. From England to Vietnam.

“Ahead of the team’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and São Tomé and Príncipe, the head coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor called some players which once again sparked conversations on radio, television and social.

“A lot of questions were raised when information leaked that he, C.K Akonnor did not even know about the inclusion of the likes of Nicholas Opoku and Emmanuel Lomotey in his 29-man squad for the games. Minds wandered as to why a call-up was handed to Stephen Ambrosius, who opted to play for Germany’s U-21, as well Colchester United’s Kwame Afriyie Poku, who plays in England 4th tier league.”