Kotoko coach Prosper Narteh Ogum advises local players on what to do to get Black Stars recognition

Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum insists that players in the Ghana Premier League need to put in more effort to earn a spot on the national team.

For the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic, only one player from the domestic league, goalkeeper Fredrick Asare, received a call-up. Asare is expected to rejoin the team on Monday before their trip to Bamako on Tuesday.

At the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Fatawu Hamidu and Richmond Lamptey were the only players from the Ghana Premier League included in the Black Stars squad. However, neither player made an appearance during the competition.

Dr. Ogum emphasized that while there are quality players in the league, they must work even harder to be considered for the Black Stars. “We have quality in the league, individual players are very good, but it all depends on the coach who is making the call-ups. As coaches, we need to work harder, and as players, they also need to work harder so that moving forward, more players will be called up to join the Black Stars,” he said after Kotoko’s game against Great Olympics.

The Porcupine Warriors suffered a 1-0 defeat at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex on matchday 32.