Nobody has a permanent stay in Black Stars â?? Ex-GFA Veep George Afriyie

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has emphasized that no player holds a permanent place in the Black Stars squad.

His comments follow reports that European-born talents, including Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Crystal Palace forward Eddie Nketiah, are considering switching allegiance to Ghana after previously declining call-ups.

Ghana utilized 46 players across 10 World Cup qualifying matches, but only 26 will make the final squad, which must be submitted by June 1.

“Nobody is a permanent member of the Black Stars. The national team is there so that anytime a coach feels this player can help the cause of the Black Stars, he must go for him and nothing must stop him,” Mr Afriyie told Graphic Sports.

“Not all the players who played in the qualifiers can play in the World Cup, so are we also being fair to those players who played during the qualifiers but won’t be part of the World Cup?" he quizzed.

The Black Stars, making their fifth World Cup appearance, have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. Ghana will open its campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and conclude group matches against Croatia on June 27.

As part of preparations, the squad will regroup in March for friendlies against Austria and Germany, and will wrap up with a match against Mexico in May. The GFA confirmed that the team will be based at Bryant University in the United States throughout the tournament.

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has emphasized that no player holds a permanent place in the Black Stars squad.

His comments follow reports that European-born talents, including Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Crystal Palace forward Eddie Nketiah, are considering switching allegiance to Ghana after previously declining call-ups.

Ghana utilized 46 players across 10 World Cup qualifying matches, but only 26 will make the final squad, which must be submitted by June 1.

“Nobody is a permanent member of the Black Stars. The national team is there so that anytime a coach feels this player can help the cause of the Black Stars, he must go for him and nothing must stop him,” Mr Afriyie told Graphic Sports.

“Not all the players who played in the qualifiers can play in the World Cup, so are we also being fair to those players who played during the qualifiers but won’t be part of the World Cup?" he quizzed.

The Black Stars, making their fifth World Cup appearance, have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. Ghana will open its campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and conclude group matches against Croatia on June 27.

As part of preparations, the squad will regroup in March for friendlies against Austria and Germany, and will wrap up with a match against Mexico in May. The GFA confirmed that the team will be based at Bryant University in the United States throughout the tournament.

Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.