Black Stars 55-man provisional squad for 2022 Qatar World Cup hands Ghana Premier League major boost ahead of tournament
The Ghana Premier League have received a major boost ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after three of its stars named in Black Stars provisional squad.
Three local names in Otto Addo’s recent list means the Ghana Premier League is the only African league to have the most call-ups for the FIFA World Cup though the Premier Soccer League, Tanzanian Premier League and Sudan Premier League could have burst up for a challenge.
Black Stars boss Otto Addo has named a 55-man provisional squad for Ghana’s World Cup campaign on Friday evening as three local players included.
Last two seasons’ champions Hearts of Oak and defending champions Asante Kotoko are the only sides who produced stars for the Black Stars when Ghana compete at the highest stage of football.
Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Portugal on Thursday evening 24th November four days after opening ceremony kickoff between hosts Qatar and Ecuador before they take on South Korea and then Uruguay in last group H game.
Before the World Cup finals, the Black Stars will face Switzerland in final Pre-World Cup friendly on 17th November and Ghana Premier League stars may or not be part of the exercise.
Though their World Cup finals chances are slim, the initial call-up boost the league and its stars can begin to acknowledge the Ghanaian top flight.
Asante Kotoko first choice goal-keeper Ibrahim Danlad and Hearts of Oak duo Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Dennis Korsah represent the Ghana Premier League to fight for a place in Qatar with other stars who ply their trade in Europe.
Barnieh has passed through the national teams (U17, U20 and U23) and received a call-up for Ghana’s friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua in September. Same applies to Ibrahim Danlad but the shot-stopper missed out on Brazil and Nicaragua games.
Both Barnieh and Danlad have helped Ghana lift the Africa U20 Nations Cup in Mauritania in March 2021.
The Ghana Premier League remains the African league to have more call-ups compare to other leagues like the South African Premier Soccer League.
Orlando Pirates goal-keeper Richard Ofori is the only player from the PSL though Kwame Peprah could have made headway.
In Tanzania, Simba Sporting Club winger Augustine Okrah missed out on the call-up while Imoro Ibrahim who joined Sudanese side Al Hilal from Asante Kotoko was however included.
The list will be trimmed to 26 for the final squad for the World Cup.
