Posted by Black Stars manager Ck Akonnor has divulged that the Ghana FA is working on getting about seven European-born players to represent the national team.
This came about when the Black Stars manager was quizzed about the possibly of adding players born in Europe and of Ghanaian descendant.
“With regards to European-born players, it’s necessary for me to let you know the names [of the players we are working on],” Akonnor said at a press conference.
“Those I spoke to want to play [for Ghana] but they are also not familiar with our lifestyle here. They don’t know what is going on, some probably just come here [briefly] and go back.
“They don’t know anything about us and I think it is important for us to encourage them to come here and see what is going on here. They are willing to come but they don’t know what it is [like here].”
“Talking of quality players, I think I made mention of six or five players which I believe are quality [players]. They’ll enhance the way we play, the way we go forward. These names are with the FA and the FA has already started working on it.
“We cannot get them now but once we get them, they’ll improve our team. Once we have quality, they will improve our chance of winning Afcon.
“Djiku and Owusu are currently eligible to play. Management is working hard to get them on board.”
“Hopefully we’ll be able to get them [seven players] on board.”
CK Akonnor who is yet to manage the team in an official match added that Ghana must employ the Nigerian model on recruiting European-born players.
“The most important thing is those who were born in Europe. Some of them are eager to play for the Black Stars”.
“That is what we want to do. Look at Nigeria, I think they have done that in a very nice way.
“They have brought a lot of guys who were born in Europe and the Nigerian team is now transformed so we are trying to do the same with the national team.”
According to recent reports, the Ghana FA is in talks with Brighton and Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey, Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah, Anderlecht’s Jeremy Doku, Gent’s Elisha Owusu, Strasbourg’s Alexander Djiku and many others.