Otto Addo, head coach of the Black Stars, has emphasised that his primary concern when selecting players for the national team is their quality, rather than the league they play in.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, where he unveiled his squad for the upcoming matches against Angola and Niger, Addo clarified his selection criteria.
“It’s not easy, and I think I mentioned this previously—we will keep a close eye on the Ghana Premier League. If I had left out one of these 22 players, you would question me. It’s not about whether they play in the Ghana Premier League, the EPL, or Ligue 1. It’s about the players themselves,” Addo stated.
He further elaborated, “I don’t care where the player comes from. If I’m convinced of their capability, that’s what matters. Right now, I believe these are the players who can help us secure victories against Angola and Niger. While some leagues may be more prominent, it’s not a deciding factor. If a player fits our system, then they will be called up.”
The Black Stars will kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a home match against Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on September 5. Following this, Ghana will travel to Morocco for their second qualifier against Niger.