2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Local players must considered for Ghana v Somalia double-header - Frimpong Manso

Former Ghana international Frimpong Manso has called on the Black Stars interim technical team to include more locally based players in the squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Somalia.

Ghana are scheduled to face Somalia in a double-header during the November international break, with the first match set for November 12 before the two sides meet again on November 16. Both fixtures are expected to be played in Ghana.

Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, Manso believes the upcoming matches present an opportunity for the technical team to assess players in the Ghana Premier League, particularly with some key foreign-based internationals facing injury and fitness concerns.

He stressed that giving domestic players an opportunity should not be viewed as undermining Somalia but rather as a chance to strengthen Ghana's squad and reward players capable of delivering for the national team.

"I feel this is the opportunity to try and give the local players a chance. I feel we can get about five players who have the ability and quality, then we can add the foreign-based players to them," the Asante Kotoko legend said.

The former coach also questioned the wisdom of selecting foreign-based players who may not be sufficiently fit or playing regularly at their respective clubs.

He specifically pointed to the fitness concerns surrounding Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo, arguing that the technical team should explore alternative options rather than rely on players who might struggle to perform at their best.

"If you call Kudus, there's no way he will come, and even if he does come, he won't give his best because he returned from injury and is gaining some match fitness. Semenyo is also injured, so who are we calling to the national team?" he added.

Manso believes Ghana can assemble a competitive squad by selecting a significant number of players from the domestic league and complementing them with foreign-based internationals who are fit and committed to the national cause.

"We should be able to call half of the team from the local league, then we can add the rest from other leagues. But not necessarily that they don't perform. We call those that will come and give their best," he said.

The former Bibiani Gold Stars head coach further argued that the demanding schedules in Europe's top leagues could affect the readiness of some players for international duty, making it necessary for the technical team to prioritise those who are available and eager to represent the country.

Manso insists there is enough quality in the Ghana Premier League to strengthen the Black Stars, adding that the upcoming double-header would provide local players with an opportunity to prove their worth at international level.

The interim technical team, led by head coach Kim Lars Björkegren, is expected to announce its squad this week ahead of the two encounters.

Ghana head into the fixtures under pressure after losing their opening two Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

The four-time African champions are yet to record a victory in the qualifiers and will be targeting maximum points from the Somalia double-header to revive their hopes of reaching the 2027 tournament.

The matches also offer Ghana an opportunity to rebuild confidence following their failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.