A former defender of the senior national team, Samuel Osei Kufuor says Ghana would look “stupid” if she leaves the Black Stars trio of Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan out of Ghana’s team for the African Nations Cup in Angola next January.
“We can’t go to the nation’s cup without Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari. Excuse me to say, we will look stupid there, believe me. It is not about playing it is about the personality, we need the personalities in the team.” He said.
The three were supposed to travel with the squad to Angola for a friendly on Wednesday November 18, but failed to turn up without permission and instead travelled to their respective European bases.
The action has been considered by many as the first act of gross indiscipline exhibited by players of the national team since this current Black Stars took shape.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has expressed its discontent over the players’ attitude and says the necessary disciplinary action will be taken against the trio after a probe into the issue.
It is unclear what disciplinary action the GFA intends to take against the three senior players of the Black Stars, but the Association’s Vice President, Fred Pappoe told Citi Sports in an interview that “they will be punished”.
However, in an exclusive interview with Citi Sports, Samuel Osei Kufuor cautioned the Ghana Football Association to be circumspect in dealing with the issue since it has the propensity to affect Ghana’s 2010 campaign.
“We need those boys to conquer Angola 2010, the Under 20s have made it and this is the time for the black stars to deliver… I know the members in GFA are very wise and won’t take such a decision to sack them from the national team,” He says.
