Former Ghana international Frimpong Manso has urged the Black Stars’ interim technical team to give domestic players a greater opportunity in the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Somalia.
Ghana will play Somalia twice in the Matchday 3 and 4 fixtures later this month, with the opening game scheduled for November 12 and the return match on November 16. Both games are expected to take place in Ghana.
Manso believes the double-header provides an ideal opportunity to assess talent from the Ghana Premier League, particularly as several key foreign-based players have fitness and injury concerns.
He said selecting more locally based footballers should not be interpreted as taking Somalia lightly. Instead, he argued, it would allow Ghana to strengthen the squad while rewarding players capable of making an immediate contribution.
“I feel this is the opportunity to try and give the local players a chance. I feel we can get about five players who have the ability and quality, then we can add the foreign-based players to them,” said the former Nations FC and Bibiani Gold Stars head coach in an interview with Sporty FM.
Manso also cautioned against calling up players based abroad who are not playing regularly or are not sufficiently fit to perform for the national team.
He cited the fitness situations of Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo, saying Ghana should consider other options rather than rely on players who may not be at their best.
“If you call Kudus, there’s no way he will come, and even if he does come, he won’t give his best because he returned from injury and is gaining some match fitness. Semenyo is also injured, so who are we calling to the national team?” he added.
The Asante Kotoko legend said the Black Stars could still field a competitive side by combining a substantial number of domestic players with fit and committed footballers from overseas.
“We should be able to call half of the team from the local league, then we can add the rest from other leagues. But not necessarily that they don’t perform. We call those that will come and give their best,” Manso said.
He added that the demanding schedules in Europe’s major leagues could affect the readiness of some players for international duty. In his view, the technical team should focus on footballers who are available and prepared to give their best for Ghana.
The qualifiers could also give domestic players the chance to show they have the quality to become regular members of the Black Stars.
Head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren and his technical team are expected to name their squad this week.
Ghana are under pressure to revive their campaign after losing their opening Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The four-time African champions have yet to win in the qualifiers and need maximum points from both matches to improve their chances of reaching the 2027 tournament.
The games will also be an opportunity for Ghana to rebuild confidence after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
