Former Black Stars skipper Stephen Appiah is confident that the selection of locally based players into the Black Stars squad could play a crucial role in Ghana’s chances at next year’s 2022 AFCON tournament in Cameroon.

CK Akonnor received lots of applauds for handing call-ups to home based players for the final qualifying series of the AFCON tournament.

Speaking in an interview with TV3, Appiah said Akonnor’s decision to call-up local players cements the competitiveness of the Ghana Premier League this season.

Asked whether the local players could be pivotal to Ghana’s success in the 2022 AFCON campaign, Appiah said:

“I think so because this season, the league is looking interesting and very competitive,” he said.

“Years back there would have been a 12-year difference between the top two but this time around it is not like that.

“And all the teams have about 3 or 4 players that are outstanding and at a point we were not seeing that.

“That means they are doing well and our league is going well,” he added.

The Black Stars are scheduled for an upcoming International friendly matches against Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire in June.

Coach Akunnor, named seven locally based players in Razak Abalora (Asante Kotoko), Ibrahim Danlad (King Faisal), Ismail Ganiyu (Asante Kotoko), Joseph Adjei (Legon Cities), Rashid Nortey (Medeama SC), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Steadfast FC) and Philemon Baffuor (Dreams FC) for the two friendlies.