Kumasi, Dec 16, GNA - A former member of the Black Stars, Ernest Joe de-Graft has
urged the technical handlers of the team to ensure that selection of players for the African
Cup of Nations and the World Cup is based strictly on performance.
He said favouritism, stature or names must not be allowed to influence decisions they
make.
Ghana is endowed with many talented players whom, he said, could prove equal to the
task on the big stage, when given the chance.
Joe de-Graft, now 72, was part of the national side that won the Nations Cup for the first
time in 1963, in Accra.
He was the reserved goalkeeper and played for Kumasi Cornerstone.
Joe de-Graft who was sharing his views with GNA Sports in Kumasi on the Stars'
chances in the upcoming Nation's Cup tournament to be hosted by Angola commended the
Stars Coach, Milovan Rajevac for his recent European tour to look for potential new players
he might invite to beef up the national side.
He appealed to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to give the technical team the
necessary support.
The former player described Ghana's group at the Nations Cup, comprising Burkina
Faso, Togo and Cote d'Ivoire as tough, and cautioned that no country should be underrated.
"I expect the Stars to go into the tournament very hungry for honours and to fight like
wounded lions."
Touching on the World Cup, the former Stars keeper predicted a difficult tournament for
the team, saying the likes of Germany, Australia and Serbia who are grouped with Ghana are
experienced opponents.
Joe de-Graft said having performed well in their maiden World Cup appearance in
Germany 2006, the expectation is that the Stars are going to be a force to reckon with and it
was against this background that all hands should be on deck to ensure success for the Stars.
He is currently the technical adviser to Owerriman F/C, a Division Two side, at Konongo.
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Comments
favouritism, stature or names is engulfing the teams seletion. players like stephen appiah, kingston called themselves senior players would not let others find their way into the team.they influenve decision.