Coach Otto Addo has assured that the new players expanding the Ghana senior national team pool are for the long-term and not just about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Barely a week ago, the Black Stars received a huge boost when long-time target Iñaki Williams finally announced a switch of his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana.
Subsequently, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) also confirmed the availability of five others – Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Stephan Ambrosius, Ransford-Yeboah Koningsdorffer, and Patric Pfeiffer – for national team duties.
NEW BLACK STARS: Salisu, Tariq, Ambrosius line up as SIX PLAYERS commit to Ghana
Despite the fanfare that greeted the news, opinions are divided about how the influx of the new players (mostly of dual nationality) would affect team harmony and whether the World Cup swayed their decision to commit to Ghana.
Adding his voice to the debate, head coach Otto Addo – who himself was born in Germany to Ghanaian parents and chose to play for the Black Stars – says the incoming players know exactly what they are getting into and trusts them to have an influence on the team.
“Since March we’ve been talking to a lot of players who we think can have an impact on the team.
“I can understand it can be a difficult decision, especially if you were born in another country and you are young.
“It’s a lifetime decision, unlike at club level where you can play for several teams. So it’s very difficult and I understand them better, having been born in Germany.
“But we want those who have decided to get familiar with the team and the staff as soon as possible.
“So everybody who wants to join has to join now so they know exactly what they’re going to do,” the 46-year-old told the BBC.
Addo added: “It’s a tough decision and they know what they’re getting into. Surely it’s not just about this World Cup.
“It’s about more World Cups to come, Afcons, winning and being successful, so it’s not just about this one World Cup.”
Ghana will be battling Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea in Group H of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. For their opening match, the Black Stars are scheduled to face Cristiano Ronaldo’s side at the famous 974-container Stadium on November 24.
