Ghana coach Chris Hughton has made a bold statement by reportedly including five home-based players in his provisional Black Stars squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
With the tournament kicking off on January 13th in Ivory Coast, Hughton is determined to assemble a formidable force capable of bringing home Ghana’s fifth AFCON title.
The 50-man provisional list, submitted to the Ghana Football Association according to Kumasi’s Wontumi FM, marks a significant shift towards recognizing the talent within Ghana’s domestic league.
This move aligns with calls from prominent figures to include the likes of Asante Kotoko’s Richmond Lamptey, Hearts of Oak’s Salifu Ibrahim and Kelvin Osei Asibey, and Bibiani Goldstars’ Stephen Banahene to reward their stellar performances.
Hughton, known for his meticulous approach, will undoubtedly fine-tune the squad to the tournament’s requirements before the final list is announced. His inclusion of local players injects a dose of fresh blood and excitement into the Black Stars, while also acknowledging their contribution to the ongoing Ghana Premier League.
Ghana’s AFCON legacy is etched in gold, with four previous championship wins, the last coming in 1982. However, their journey since then has been marked by heartbreak, with three final defeats – against Ivory Coast on penalties in 1992, Egypt in 2010, and Ivory Coast again in 2015. Hughton’s selection gamble could be the key to unlocking a new chapter of continental glory for the Black Stars.
