James Kwasi Appiah, head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars, has said, he has a fair idea of his team for the upcoming 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for Egypt in June.

According to coach Appiah, it was necessary he gave others the opportunity for assessment and also to introduce healthy competition into his team, as Ghana strives to end the 37 years of cup drought.

Appiah made this known in a post-match press conference at the Accra Sports Stadium, when his side beat Mauritania by 3:1 in an international friendly with some new players getting the opportunity to prove their worth.

“I know and have an idea of the team and players I am going to call for the upcoming AFCON, but it is always important to have a second look at some players, who can give the needed competition in the team.

“Though you cannot use only a game to assess a player for a possible selection, we would not rely on what the technical team has seen here today but rather follow up on them at their various clubs.

“A player may dip in form, injuries might set in and all other things could come up before the final selection, so the door is not yet shut on any player” he said.

Appiah further noted that in modern football you don’t select players who can play at only just a position but a versatile player, who can adapt to changes and formation at any given time and that is what he would consider going into the AFCON 2019 as Ghana seeks to win the trophy for the first time after the participation countries have been expanded from sixteen (16) to twenty-four (24).

A goal from striker Kwesi Appiah in the first half and one each from Caleb Ekuban and Thomas Partey was all that the Stars needed to thumb the Mauritanians, who pulled one back from midfielder Ba Adama.

Source: GNA