The Inshallah Boys chief insists none of the Kotoko players missing the 2021 Afcon squad list is surprising
The owner and bankroller of King Faisal has rejected suggestions that Asante Kotoko captain Abdul Ganiu Ismail and goalkeeper Razak Abalora should have been named as part of Ghana’s 30-man provisional squad ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac announced his provisional squad on Tuesday and Ganiu who has been part of the Black Stars throughout the qualifiers was conspicuously missing together with Abalora despite five local players making the grade.
This has led to several discussions among the Kotoko family but Grunsah believes Milovan should be allowed to do his job as he knows the players that will help him achieve success.
Dreams FC duo of Philimon Baffour and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku made the squad together with Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah. The others included Maxwell Abbey Quaye of Great Olympics and Real Tamale United captain David Abagna Sandan.
“For Kotoko supporters who are furious with the call-up, they should keep quiet because they have no basis,” Grunsah told Akoma FM.
“They are not the only team performing well in Ghana Premier League this season whose players were not called or do they want Milovan to call their two in-form Cameroonian strikers?
“He is the coach and knows the kind of players that can help him win the trophy. Although, I suggested Frank Acheampong to the technical team ahead of the official announcement because he’s currently doing well in China, however the coach feels he’s not needed now. so I’m only hoping all goes well so we win the Afcon this time,” he concluded.
The team will be in Doha for a period of three weeks to prepare for the Tournament scheduled for Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2022.
The Black Stars will play three International friendly matches in Qatar to give Coach Milovan Rajevac the opportunity to assess his squad for the Tournament.
Ghana are expected to play a yet to named club side on Tuesday, December 28, before taking on one of the Africa Cup of Nations qualified teams on Friday, January 1, 2022 in another friendly.
The team will wrap up their test matches against African Champions Algeria on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
The Black Stars will depart Doha for Yaoundé on Friday, January 7, 2022 to take on the rest of Africa at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
GHANA SCHEDULE IN DOHA – QATAR
Team open camp on December 22, 2021
First Friendly match against a club side – December 28, 2021
Second friendly match against AFCON bound country – January 1, 2022
Third friendly against Algeria – January 5, 2022
Departure to Cameroon – January 7, 2022
Submission of final squad – December 30, 2021
Ghana last won the Afcon in 1982 but have been in final in 1992, 2010 and 2015.