Black Stars coach explains procedures used in selecting Ghana squad against Nigeria

Black Stars of Ghana interim assistant coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has clarified how the gaffers of the senior national soccer team worked together to select players for the doubleheader against Nigeria during the World Cup qualifier journey.

The interim gaffers brought in four debutants who are playing crucial roles for their respective clubs in Europe and the local.

Afena-Gyan who rejected a call-up during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, made a comeback for the two-legged tie against the Super Eagles and led the team as an attacker whiles Belgium-based Ghanaian defender Dennis Odoi, KAA Gent midfielder Elisha Owusu and the only local-based player in the squad is Dennis Korsah of Hearts of Oak were also invited to face the Super Eagles.

The Technical Team led by Coach Otto Addo delayed announcing the full squad but it was done a few hours before the World Cup qualifier play-offs.

Coach Didi Dramani, the assistant gaffer has clarified that they brought their ideas together in aid of snatching the players and categorizing them. He revealed all the coaches were involved in talks with some of the players before getting their services.

According to the clarification, it wasn’t difficult for them to announce the list but they kept quiet about some changes.

“In team building, we all brought our ideas so we categorized them in different faces. You have to categorize them according to positions and that will make it easier when looking for them. We were having more players like how you said we delayed. Even the world’s football governing body, FIFA knows the time you have to release the list. The time that you serve them the list for it to be linked into their system and once we were within that time we didn’t see it to be difficult.” He stated in an interview with Ghanasportspage.com.

“When you release the list earlier whiles the player is playing for his club and if there is an injury you have to make some changes. Mas-Ud Didi Dramani told Ghanasportspage.com

“We were making changes, we evicted some of the players and brought in others so that we can get a player who is relevant to the team, to the country, and his playing career. We won’t bring a player just because of his name. We select based on what he can do. Somebody like Afena-Gyan, Otto went to meet the player and his manager before he was snatched.

“It is a respect for the player and that will even convince him to come. We spoke to many of the guys despite not being invited. I always speak to Wakaso though he was injured we were in talks with him. We did the same thing to other players on the Phone. George, Chris Hughton, Otto, and I were all involved so that we can get their services in the future if not today. He added.

“There were a lot of talks and collaborations till we tried to corporate with the system before even thinking about the squad and thinking about the training elements and thinking about the opponent and other things.

“Team building is not just thinking about the players but is about thinking about what you have to be doing around the staff and what you to be doing with a test of responsibilities and task so that you will be more structured and then you will be more organized. Were very organized under the Otto Addo leadership.” He explained to Ghanasporspage.com.

With seven months left for the World Cup, Ghanaians are expecting the GFA to voice out their decisions on the managerial roles in the national team before the mundial.

Ghana will play alongside, Portugal, Uruguay, and Korea Republic in Group H.