Akonnor clarifies decision to exclude Hearts of Oak stars from 30 man squad

Black Stars head coach C.K Akonnor has dismissed assertions that there is a deliberate attempt to exclude certain players of Accra Hearts of Oak from the national team.

In naming his 30 man provisional squad for the World cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa only Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh made the team.

The absence of players like Benjamin Afutu and Salifu Ibrahim who are widely regarded as some of the best players from the just ended Ghana Premier League season has raised eyebrows among fans.

However, Akonnor is of the opinion that the players called up for the qualifiers are the most suitable for the assignment.

“Everyone in this room has their own interests as far as the national team is concerned but ultimately we all want Ghana to win.

“Sometimes the finak decision comes from me and my technical team.

“The fact is that they are not here the likes of Afutu and company and I have taken notice.

“At this moment this is the squad and like I said this is a provisional squad.

“It will be reduced and the number will come down to 25.” he told journalists gathered at the unveiling of the 30 man provisional squad

Ghana take on Ethiopia on September 3 at the Cape Coast stadium and then South Africa in Johannesburg on September 6 2021.

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