Didi Dramani backs Nketiah, Hudson-Odoi for Black Stars
Former Black Stars assistant coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has backed calls for England-born duo Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi to be integrated into Ghana’s national team set-up, insisting their quality is undeniable and their international allegiance should be handled with care.
Dramani, who was part of Otto Addo’s technical bench at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, revealed that efforts were made to recruit both players ahead of the tournament, though those attempts proved unsuccessful at the time.
Now, with the pair having signalled renewed interest in representing Ghana, their absence from Addo’s 26-man squad for upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies against Austria and Germany has sparked fresh debate.
Nketiah, currently with Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest winger Hudson-Odoi were both overlooked for the fixtures, which form part of Ghana’s final preparations for the World Cup, now less than three months away.
Dramani acknowledged the timing challenges facing the technical team but maintained that the door should remain open.
“I personally think team building takes time, and too many new faces may not find the cohesion and fluidity of the team chemistry. Three months is too short to introduce too much freshness,” he told Graphic Sports.
However, he was emphatic about the calibre of the two players.
“Ghana has been fortunate to have quality in the wide areas, but the quality of these two players is huge. I remember we made several attempts to get them to join the Black Stars before and after Qatar,” he said.
He also urged patience and understanding, describing nationality switches as deeply personal, career-defining decisions.
“These are lifetime decisions and players need time to make such long-term choices about their careers. I’m not sure of their current status, but no one can doubt the quality and ability they would bring to the team,” he added.
The Hearts of Oak head coach further stressed the importance of the upcoming international window — including friendlies against Austria and Germany, as well as later fixtures against Mexico and Wales — as critical to building cohesion, consistency and team chemistry ahead of the global showpiece.
Dramani also welcomed the recent expansion of the Black Stars’ technical team, though he warned that more support staff would still be required to compete effectively at the highest level.
“It’s the right decision, but still inadequate in my opinion. The World Cup presents an opportunity for learning and growth, so more hands are needed, both behind the scenes and on the bench. Our teams are often understaffed due to limited resources,” he explained.
He highlighted sports science and medical support as key areas requiring urgent attention.
“Sports science is crucial to keep players refreshed, especially during matches. Some members of the technical team must also focus on scouting potential opponents across different groups and analysing various aspects of the game,” he stressed.
