Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has dismissed allegations that Black Stars players are deliberately declining national team call-ups for the upcoming international break. Okraku stated that since he became GFA president, he has not encountered any player who intentionally turned down a call-up. The Black Stars are set to face Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, and Morocco in the international break. Several players have reportedly turned down the opportunity to join the national team, citing injuries and precautionary measures.
The international break will see Ghana play three games, starting with a match against Cote d'Ivoire on Thursday in Bouake. The team will then return to Ghana to face Gambia before wrapping up the break with a friendly game against Morocco on October 4 in Tangier. Okraku made these comments on Asempa FM, emphasizing that no player has intentionally declined to play for the national team. The GFA has already lined up replacements for the players who are absent due to injuries.
Okraku's comments come after several high-profile players, including Baba Rahman and Antoine Semenyo, pulled out of the Black Stars squad due to injuries. The GFA has called up nine new players to replace those who are unavailable for the upcoming games. Despite the setbacks, Okraku expressed confidence in the team's abilities, stating that they are "good enough" to compete against top opponents.
The Black Stars have been dealing with a series of injuries and withdrawals in recent times, which has forced the team to make significant changes to their squad. Coach Carlos Queiroz has emphasized the importance of the upcoming games, stating that the team must win their next match against Cote d'Ivoire. The team's performance in the international break will be crucial in their preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Okraku's denial of intentional call-up declines comes as a relief to Ghanaian football fans, who have been concerned about the team's preparations for the upcoming games. The GFA president's comments also suggest that the team is taking a proactive approach to addressing the issues caused by player withdrawals. The Black Stars depart Accra for Bouake on Wednesday ahead of their game against Cote d'Ivoire.
The team's coach, Carlos Queiroz, has emphasized the importance of the upcoming games in the team's preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Queiroz stated that the team's focus is on winning their next game against Cote d'Ivoire. The team's performance in the international break will provide valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses ahead of the qualifiers.
The Black Stars' upcoming games against Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, and Morocco will provide a significant test of their abilities. Despite the challenges posed by player withdrawals, Okraku expressed confidence in the team's abilities, stating that they have a good enough squad to compete against top opponents. The team's performance in the international break will be closely watched by Ghanaian football fans.
Key points
- No player has intentionally declined to play for the national team, according to GFA President Kurt Okraku.
