Black Stars coach Otto Addo announced his 26-man squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup in Accra yesterday.
Interestingly, the squad comprised of two Ghanaian based players in Accra Hearts of Oak Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s Ibrahim Danlad.
For many sports pundits familiar with the Black Stars selections, especially at the World Cup over the years, the inclusion conforms with a tradition Ghana has done in all its World Cup participations.
From Ghana’s first ever appearance at the mundial in 2006, locally based players have made the squad for all the appearances the Black Stars have made.
We went down memory lane to check out all the Ghanaian based players that have made it to the World Cup.
1 . Illiasu Shilla: The then Kumasi Asante Kotoko defender was one of Ghana’s brightest spots at the country’s first World Cup in Germany in 2006.
Drafted into the starting lineup after a Sammy Kuffour error in the opening game against Italy, Shilla formed a solid tandem with John Mensah at the back till Ghana got knocked out in the round of 16 against Brazil.
2 . Habib Mohammed: The left back who was then playing for Kumasi based King Faisal was called up to the Ghana national team’s squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He made two appearances (180 minutes), before he passed after injury.
3 . Dan Quaye: Quaye is one of Ghana’s favourite footballing talents after his long and distinguished career with Hearts of Oak. He made the squad to Germany 2006.
4 . George Owu: He played his first game for the Ghana national team on 19 November 2003 and was the second goalkeeper at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt 2006. He was in Germany 2006.
5 . Daniel Agyei: Agyei represented Ghana at under-20 level and won with the team both the 2009 African Youth Championship and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made the list for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
6 . Stephen Ahorlu: On 13 May 2010, Ahorlu earned his call-up in the Ghana national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
7 . Stephen Adams: The Aduana Stars goalkeeper was the only locally based player that made Ghana’s squad to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
Source- Pulse Ghana
