Lack of experienced players affecting Black Stars – Former Ghana defender Emmanuel Asare

Former Ghana defender Emmanuel Asare has blamed lack of experienced players for Black Stars recent struggles.

The four-time African Champions recorded their worst ever Africa Cup of Nations performance in Cameroon after failing to win a game in all three matches played in Group C. This led to the exit of the Black Stars from the 2021 AFCON tournament.

Ghana will have to make amends when they face Nigeria in the World Cup play-off this month.

The 2010 World Cup quarter finalist will play a two-legged encounter against Nigeria with the winner securing one of the five slots on the African continent.

The Black Stars will host Nigeria on March 25, 2022 before traveling to Abuja for the reverse fixture on March 29, 2022.

In an interview with Sylvester Ntim of Koforidua-based Bryt FM, Emmanuel Asare, who capped five times for the national team noted the Black Stars struggles is as a result of lack of experienced players.

“I wish Ghana qualify ahead of Nigeria because I am a Ghanaian but it will be difficult. Ghana were poor at AFCON 2021 and because of that Ghanaians have lost hope going into this crucial game”

“If Otto Addo will put things in order and make some changes to the squad that played at the AFCON, I believe things can change against Nigeria. At the moment there is no experience player in the national team and it is affecting us”

“Didier Drogba at some point in time was not at his best but they kept him which yielded results. Now, there is no Asamoah Gyan, Muntari and other experienced players and it is a worry. Andre Ayew don’t have the qualities of Gyan, he does not pose threat to defenders as compared to Gyan, so looking at that aspect, our chances of qualifying is slim but Ghana is Ghana, we are full of surprises” he said.

Meanwhile, Ghanaians are clamoring for the recall of Sulley Muntari following his swashbuckling performance for Hearts of Oak in the Ghana Premier League.