Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey has urged the Black Stars’ interim technical team to show courage by selecting more players from the domestic league for November’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying double-header against Somalia.
Ghana’s squad has not yet been announced, with the interim coaches expected to name their team this week. By Wednesday afternoon, no squad list had been posted on the Ghana Football Association’s Black Stars page.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Lamptey said the coaching staff had enough experience to place their faith in local talent.
“The experience of Ibrahim Tanko cannot be overlooked, and so if they feel they can include local players in the squad for the games, they should be bold and do that,” he said.
“During my time with the national team, we had more local players in the squad than players playing in Europe.
“They should not be scared about that decision; rather, they should be bold and make that decision.”
Former Ghana international Stephen Frimpong Manso said the Black Stars should win at home, regardless of which players are selected, but warned against underestimating Somalia.
He said African football had progressed, with additional tournament places and regional competitions providing smaller nations with greater exposure.
“But comparatively, when we are talking about football, we don’t have to struggle to win against Somalia. I think we should be able to win at home no matter the players we parade,” he told Sporty FM.
“Somalia are coming up, but if our players give off their best, Somalia cannot stand against us.”
Black Queens coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren is leading the interim technical team appointed by the GFA on October 16. Medeama SC coach Ibrahim Tanko and Godwin Attram are his assistants, while former goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda is responsible for training the goalkeepers.
The temporary arrangement covers only the November fixtures, while a committee searches for a permanent head coach. Carlos Queiroz left by mutual agreement after Ghana suffered two defeats in September.
Tanko told Joy Sports he was proud to take on the role.
“I am proud to be one of those who can help Ghana in this very tough situation,” he said.
The coaching team is expected to be without Antoine Semenyo, who is set to miss the two matches because of a knee injury.
Lamptey’s call for greater use of home-based players is not new. He has also criticised Ghana’s recent defensive approach, saying the proper way to defend is to attack.
GFA President Kurt Okraku has maintained that player selection is the coaches’ responsibility and that Ghana must choose its best players, whether they play domestically or overseas.
“If the best 26 are found in the domestic league, so be it. If they’re abroad, so be it,” Okraku told 3Sports last year.
Both matches will be played in Ghana. Ghanaian reports list the first leg for Thursday, November 12, and the return for Monday, November 16, although some international listings show both fixtures a day earlier. CAF’s window runs from November 9 to 17.
The venue remains undecided, with the Accra Sports Stadium and Sekondi’s Essipong Stadium under consideration. On Wednesday morning, the GFA was pushing for the match to be played at Essipong.
Ghana are bottom of Group C without a point after losing 2-0 to Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake and surrendering a two-goal lead in a 4-2 home defeat by The Gambia.
Two victories against Somalia would take Ghana to six points before Cote d’Ivoire visit in March. The top two teams in each group qualify for the finals.
The four-time champions missed the 2025 AFCON in Morocco after finishing bottom of their qualifying group without winning a match.
