Nurudeen Amadu, the coach of Samartex, has voiced his belief that Emmanuel Keyekeh deserved a spot in the Black Stars squad for the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Despite the inclusion of three home-based players, namely Richmond Lamptey, Jonathan Sowah, and Abdul Hamidu Fatawu, Amadu feels that Keyekeh's consistent performance in the Ghana Premier League warranted his selection.
In an interview with Akoma FM, Amadu expressed his disappointment over Keyekeh's omission, highlighting the midfielder's potential contribution to the national team.
"Emmanuel Keyekeh ought to have been called up to the Black Stars, in my opinion. He could have added more value to the team, given his performance in the Ghana Premier League," Amadu remarked.
He emphasized the need for national team selectors to consider local talents like Keyekeh, especially when the performance of established professionals falls short.
"This sentiment is shared not only by me but also by other coaches who recognize his exceptional abilities on the field. If the seasoned professionals are unable to deliver, it's time to give deserving local players the chance to showcase their skills," Amadu asserted.
While acknowledging the inclusion of Richmond Lamptey, Amadu suggested that Keyekeh's form and statistics in the local league warranted a closer look from national team managers.
"Richmond Lamptey could have performed better, considering his performance in the local league, but unfortunately, that opportunity was missed. In football, it's crucial to provide players with opportunities to prove themselves," Amadu concluded, advocating for a more inclusive approach to squad selection.
