The Black Stars will face Nigeria in a double header later this month for a place in the upcoming World Cup
Ghana government is ready to provide everything needed by the Black Stars to defeat and qualify to 2022 Fifa World Cup ahead of Nigeria, according to National Sports Authority board chairman Seth Panwum.
The Black Stars are billed to host Nigeria on March 25 at either Cape Coast Sports Stadium or Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi before the return fixture takes place four days later in Abuja.
“NPP government is one government that follows sporting events with keen interest. Preparations and measures that are supposed to be put in place [for the game against Nigeria] are in place,” Seth Panwum told Kumasi-based Akoma FM in an interview.
“Fortunately, I’m a football person and have undertaken some roles in football before, so all the advices that we have to give for a successful [qualification] have been done.
“You can be rest assured that government is serious about this game. So anything we have to do to in order to get a win with the help of God, we’re doing them.
“We’re not resting on our oars. We’re really moving and praying hard to get the desired results for mother Ghana,” he added.
With less than ten days to the game, Ghana’s interim coach Otto Addo is yet to release the squad for the game but Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi has revealed that goalkeeper Richard Ofori has been given a call up.
Reports also suggest that Ghana coach Otto Addo has named Dutch-born of Ghanaian descent Leeroy Owusu in the Black Stars squad to face Nigeria.
The 25-year-old defender is believed to have been called as a replacement to former Dreams FC right-back Philimon Baffour, who is reportedly dropped from the squad after failing to make a single appearance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon.
Owusu, who was born to Ghanaian parents in Netherlands, has previously represented Netherlands at the youth level. However, he has made 23 league appearances for Willem II in Dutch Eredivisie this season and Ghana FA has reportedly succeeded in his national switch with FIFA.
Also, Elisha Owusu and Antoine Semenyo are also believed been called for the game.
During last week, reports emerged that Otto Addo has dropped seven players who were part of the Black Stars squad that participated in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of the game.
Notable among the names dropped include Andre Ayew and box-to-box midfielder Wakaso Mubarak who could not kick a ball at the Afcon due to injury concerns.
Ayew, in particular, has been dropped because of suspension as he picked a red card against Comoros in the final game of the group stage at the Afcon.
Also, former Dreams FC player Philimon Baffour who has constantly been chastised by Ghanaians for his inclusion in the Black Stars has finally been dropped alongside RTU midfielder David Abagna Sandan.
Also, Yeni Malatyspor striker Benjamin Tetteh has been dropped following his ban by CAF after he was captured on camera for hitting a Gabonese player at the Afcon.
The others include Great Olympics forward Maxwell Abbey Quaye and St. Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi for poor run of performance. The shot-stopper, in particular, has been constantly conceding goals (44) in 23 games in the Swiss Premier League.
Meanwhile, Reading defender Baba Abdul Rahman has picked up an injury and reports suggest he may miss the game.
