Editorial: What's up, Kwasi Appiah

This week, Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah, named a 21-member team for next week’s international friendly against Montenegro, one of Europe’s representatives at the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

The names making the squad surprise no one, as they only confirm our earlier position in this column that Coach Appiah knew his regulars and would any day string up his first 18 players for the World Cup. 

In the same breath, we suggested the names of three local Black Stars players — goalkeeper Stephen Adams, defender Kwaku Adusei and offensive midfielder Asiedu Attobrah — for inclusion in the preparation for Brazil.

In fact, these names were not exclusive to GRAPHIC SPORTS, as Ghanaian fans seemed to be unanimous in their belief that the players justified themselves during the CHAN in South Africa last month.

It is gratifying, therefore, that at least one of them, goalie Adams, has been named as one of two goalkeepers for the friendly game against Montenegro next Wednesday.

But aside from Adams, and the fact that Adusei and Attobrah were not called, we had expected Appiah to have invited Under-20 striker, Ebenezer Assifuah, to the Stars. 

We do acknowledge the fact that not every player can meet the coach’s criteria or consideration for a call-up, but we are convinced beyond doubt that the talented Assifuah would have passed Appiah’s test.

The omission of a third goalkeeper for the friendly also intrigues us, as we had expected the full complement of the goalkeeping unit for this all-important kick-start to the Stars World Cup preparations.

In this regard, Fatau Dauda or Daniel Adjei should have been invited, which is why we are at sea as to Coach Appiah’s decision to travel with only two goalkeepers.

Or is it a suggestion that Fatau and Adjei are done deals and that what is left to be decided on is a third goalie, for which Kwarasey or Adams must be on for the justifier?

Meanwhile, we will expect the Stars to be serious with each of the friendly matches that have been lined up for them, contrary to other views that these are mere friendlies and that the results will not matter much.

We dare say the results will be of significance to the team in building the players psychologically towards the tournament, much as the ranking of the team by FIFA.

It should not be said that these were the Black Stars players who lost all their friendlies en route to Brazil 2014.