CK Akonnor right to pursue Nketiah, others - Odartey Lamptey

Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey supports CK Akonnor's decision to augment the Black Stars with new additions for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and World Cup qualifiers.

Akonnor, who assumed duty as Ghana boss in January, has been tasked to qualify the Black Stars for, and win the continental gathering in Cameroon and as well as steer the team to the global showpiece in Qatar.

To achieve his objectives, the former Asante Kotoko coach has set his sights on securing the services of Ghanaians in the diaspora, including the England-born duo of Tariq Lamptey and Eddie Nketiah.

“Our major objective is to win a trophy so it’s a key agenda for every coach," Nii Lamptey told Peace FM.

"Every coach has his philosophy but I believe you must have a large pool of players so that in case a player is unavailable, you can easily replace him.

"It has been a long time since we won a trophy so winning it is important but having a good team will help you during tournaments.

“CK is now building his team so he will use a lot of methods. Selecting new players is the right thing because in case of anything, it will help him get some replacements. It's a good decision that he is starting with that."

Aside from Arsenal's Nketiah and Brighton and Hove Albion's Lamptey, Akonnor has also targeted the Belgium-born and Anderlecht duo of Jeremy Doku and Francis Amuzu, Dutch-born brothers Derrick Luckassen (also of Anderlecht) and Samuel Brobbey (Ajax) and the French-born trio of Elisha Owusu (Gent), Enoch Kwateng (Bordeaux) and Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg).

"The most important thing is those who were born in Europe. Some of them are eager to play for the Black Stars," Akonnor recently told Starr FM, having earlier confirmed making contact with Nketiah's family over nationality switching discussions.

“That is what we want to do. Look at Nigeria, I think they have done that in a very nice way.

“They have brought a lot of guys who were born in Europe and the Nigerian team is now transformed so we are trying to do the same with the national team.”

Akonnor will have his first taste of match action as Ghana boss in November when the Black Stars face Sudan in an Afcon qualifying double-header.