Appiah won't bow to pressure to send Adams to Brazil

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says he won’t bow to public pressure to include goalkeeper Stephen Adams in his squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Adams has been hugely praised for his sterling performance for the Local Black Stars at the recently concluded African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in South Africa.

The Aduana Stars shot-stopper proved himself at the tournament and exhibited a lot of confidence in post which has won him many admirers. Many, including legendary Ghanaian coach Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie have clamoured for the inclusion of the 24-year-old into the Black Stars ahead of June’s World Cup in Brazil.

But the Ghanaian trainer says he won’t cow to public pressure to include the goalkeeper despite his impressive performance at the CHAN tournament.

“I have always said that national team belongs to all Ghanaians. I am still monitoring the progress of all our players,” Appiah said.

“Adams had a good tournament but it doesn’t guarantee him a place in my squad. I don’t pick players simply because they excelled in three or four games.

“It has to be a consistent performance before one is considered. The World Cup is still some months away and so anything at all can happen.

“I am not in a habit of rushing players into the team. We have to take it easy and continue to monitor their progress. It doesn’t matter what people say.

“The collective good of the nation is my paramount interest. All those who played in the CHAN and those back at home and abroad will be looked at.”

Adams did his image a lot of good with a commanding performance which has heightened his potential inclusion in the final squad to the global showpiece.

However, former Ghana goalkeeper Abubakar Damba has insisted he is not matured enough and should be drafted into the team with caution.

Current number one Fatau Dauda is struggling for game time at Orlando Pirates while Daniel Agyei is nursing an injury which has prompted calls for the immediate inclusion of Adams into the team.