Talking up the Ghana Premier League in Akunnor’s Black Stars call up
The Ghana Premier League earn impressive representation in the latest call up by C.K Akunnor who names his first Ghana squad after replacing compatriot Akwesi Appiah as Black Stars coach three months ago.
Many names like Justice Blay, Eric Ofori Antwi, Prince Adu Kwabena, Prince Opoku Agyemang, Kwadwo Amoako, Habib Mohammed, Richard Atta and Yahaya Mohammed were all tipped to see the consideration of Akunnor’s maiden call up.
But only the last four names were awarded for their hard work done in the season so far which in itself is a major increase from locals in Akwesi Appiah’s last call for the Black Stars.
This signals what the strength of the Ghana Premier League has come to mean, gradually getting back to it best- primarily measured by so many factors but we are only limited to its contribution to the senior national team (Black Stars) for purposes sake. However, participation in CAF Inter Club football, straightforward transfer to more advanced leagues and salary and welfare could witness our consideration some other time.
Four call ups in what happens to be new era for the technical team of the Back Stars reflect the fast growing of the Ghana Premier League regarding its contribution to the Black Stars. The last call up until the sack of Appiah included only two Premier League players, Felix Anann and Shafiu Mumuni from Ash Gold, and two additional names have been included in Akunnor’s list.
It is good news for the Premier League, after its eventual improvement in standard of play has been credited. The standard of the 2019-2020 league season hand been remarkable, seeing some individual and collective brilliancy from players and clubs respectively.
Richard Atta has been terrific in posts for Hearts of Oak, Kwadwo Amoako has been superb with his anticipation with and without the ball, and not leaving out Habib Mohammed who has never looked back after walking into Maxwell Konadu’s eleven. The defender has been unique with his organizational and leadership skill who now deserves to be part of the Black Stars.
Yahaya Mohammed is by far one of the three best players in the Ghana Premier League, netting 10 goals after Week 12 and bagging in the maiden NASCO Player of the month January award to affirm his outstanding form this season.
It has been long the Premier League got more names into Black Stars for a competitive game, however, return of the league after suspension has produced four top quality local players to the national team which is a major indicator of development of the Ghana Premier League.
The good work of calling local players into Black Stars shouldn’t be a case of satisfying “the call of local based players into Black Stars” but it should be used as a strategic tool for developing the Ghana Premier League since players who earn call ups for continental and international assignments gain international exposure, experience, and of all, a big mileage to local players, clubs and the Premier League in general.
