Ghana are one of the finest football nations in the world with no shortage of talent and quality. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicking off on November 21, giving players the best part of eighteen days to prove to Ghana manager Otto Addo why they deserve to make the flight to Qatar.
There are, of course, players who can be confident about making the plane but others find themselves on the fringes and will be hoping to stake their claim before judgement day.
A host of players are still waiting to receive their first Ghana cap but have showed signs that they could still break into Addo’s team by the time the final squad is announced.
A lot can change in a matter of days and the following four players will be keen to force their way into Gareth Otto Addo’s thinking.
Stephan Ambrosius
The one area of the team where Otto Addo would feel he doesn't need a bigger selection headache than he already possesses is at centre-back. Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku and Joseph Aidoo, Ghana are already stacked at that position.
His ability to play on both flanks and as a third centre-back provides a level of versatility that would be an asset within any squad. But it will be tough for the Karlsruher SC defender to surpass the players currently used by Addo.
And if he continues to build on his performances, it only seems a matter of time before he gets a chance with the Black Stars and been on the plane to ticket.
Patrick Pfeifer
Similar to Ambrosius, Pfeifer is another German-born Ghanaian centre-back knocking on the doors of the Black Stars.
The 23-year-old has shown himself to be a composed and assured presence at the heart of the SV Darmstadt defence.
Pfeifer has a lot of competition at centre-back but he has the quality to rob shoulders with the established names and it wouldn't surprise many to see him named in Addo’s final squad.
Salis Abdul Samed
The RC Lens midfielder will also be targeting a spot in central midfield, one of the weakest areas in the current Ghana set-up.
With his bustling, all-action style, Samed picks up the ball and immediately looks to play forward.
He could already give some impetus to what’s proving a problem position. He has been pivotal to his side this term and is one of the first names on the team sheet.
Samed is showing his abilities against some of the best teams in the world and would deserve a call-up to the national side.
Kamal Sowah
With the likes of Kamaldeen Suleman, Jordan Ayew, Abdul Fatawu Isshaku, Osman Bukari and Joseph Paintsil, Ghana are well stacked in wide areas of the pitch.
That might make it appear difficult for Kamal Sowah to make the team, but he is a player knocking on the door and is improving all the time for an impressive Club Brugge side.
Sowah has been in outstanding form for Club Brugge scoring two goals and registering four assists in all competitions.
A mesmeric dribbler, Sowah could land a ticket to Qatar should he continue with his swashbuckling performances for his Belgian club.
By: Godfred Budu
