Black Stars coach hails impact of local players

The Black Stars Head Coach, Chris Hughton, has applauded the performance of Medeama SC

 duo, Jonathan Sowah and Abdul Fatawu Hamidu, during Tuesday’s international friendly against the Lone Stars of Liberia.

He said their display creates a window of hope for local players to the Black Stars.

“The performance of the two should be an encouragement for more of the local players to aspire to be in the national team,” Coach Hughton told a press conference after guiding his side to a 3-1 win over Liberia.

Defender, Hamidu, earned a late call-up to replace injured Abdul Baba Rahman and Gideon Mensah for the game, while Sowah was named in the 25-man squad for the AFCON qualifier against the Central African Republic and the Liberia game.

The former Accra Lions and Vision FC defender, who joined Medeama in January this year, has featured in the club’s two CAF Champions League preliminary qualifiers alongside Sowah.

Hamidu combined with Sowah, who assisted Jordan Ayew to grab Ghana’s third goal of the game on 82 minutes, two minutes after replacing Baba Iddrissu.

“I think the two did very well in the game, particularly with Sowah coming on in the final minutes to give the team a lift, especially when the game was about rounding up. I was really impressed with Hamidu as well for a great debut.”

According to him, he was very conscious of the additions he makes to the team from the local players; hence, he watches as many local games as he can.

“There are a lot of great talents here.It is always going to be about competition when it comes to the squad. I have to pick the best to get the results we need. Sometimes injuries can give others the opportunity to get in there,” he further stated.

The friendly afforded coach Hughton an opportunity to try out different tactical formations, which he noted could be imple­mented by the team in the future.

The ex-Newcastle United, Norwich City, and Brighton & Hove Albion manager now has three victories from five games with two draws.

Coach Hughton’s side will next play two international friendlies against Mexico and the United States as he continues to fine-tune ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as well as the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Cote d’Ivoire in January next year.

BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY

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