Newly – appointed Black stars Coach Chris Hughton has promised to spend more time in Ghana to add more value to the Ghana Premier League (GPL)
Speaking at his unveiling as the new Black Stars coach in Kumasi on Monday, March 20, 2023, Hughton said he wants to spend most of his time in Ghana in order to monitor the local matches to identify well -performing play who could feature for the Black Stars.
Only 2 players from Ghana’s domestic League made it into the Black Stars squad for the 2022 World Cup, whiles none was called to the current team for Thursday’s clash with Angola.
But Hughton believes the GPL players should not be underestimated.
“I have been made of aware and stress upon how important the local game is to the Association and to us as Technical Staff, he said.
“So this I am conscious of and off course in my period of time so far we have had some players, they have made the squad from our Local game. So I certainly will not underestimate them.
“Where I think I can add more value is that I will spend more time in Ghana and will watch more games. I’m constantly being made aware of players who are doing better.”
Chris Hughton has signed a contract as the Black Stars until December 31, 2024 but will stand a chance of extending the deal based on his performance.
His assistant coaches Mas Ud Didi Dramani and George Boateng have also been handed same contracts as announced by spokesperson of the Ghana FA, Henry Asante Twum at the unveiling.
Before being given the head coach job, Chris Hughton was the technical director of the Black Stars during the era of Otto Addo who resigned after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Chris Hughton will commence the Black Stars job in a double-header against Angola in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Ghana will host Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on March 23, 2023 before traveling to Luanda for the reverse fixture on March 27, 2023.
Ghana is a joint top of the Group E table with 4 points from two games following a 3-0 win over Madagascar and a 1-1 draw with Central African Republic in June last year.
