2027 AFCON Qualifiers: JE Sarpong questions lack of Ghana Premier League players in Black Stars squad

Veteran Ghanaian coach Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong has questioned the limited representation of Ghana Premier League players in the Black Stars squad for the opening matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare is the only player from the domestic league included in Carlos Queiroz's squad for the matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

Sarpong believes more players from the Ghana Premier League should be given the opportunity to prove themselves at international level.

“They say the local boys are not good enough to play in the Black Stars, but it is the same boys who travel and, after one or two years, suddenly get invited to the national team,” he told Graphic Sports.

His comments come after a number of established players withdrew from the squad ahead of the start of Ghana's qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars have arrived in Bouaké ahead of Thursday's Group C opener against Ivory Coast, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

Ghana will then return to Accra to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on 27 September.

The group also includes Somalia, with Ghana aiming to return to the AFCON after missing out on the 2025 tournament in Morocco.

Queiroz's side will round off the international window with a friendly against Morocco at the Grand Stade de Tanger on 4 October.