Black Stars need Muntari and Boateng - Jawula

Ghana Football Association former president Alhaji Lepowura MND Jawula urges Black Stars coach Avram Grant to widen his net when inviting players to the team.

The 65-year-old claims the team currently lacks 'big name' players, which does not put fear in opponents before and during games.

"I have no idea about the problem or what is happening to the team, because I have no access to what happens in the technical room. But I know that I've made an effort to put my idea across, that we have to consider all over again the concepts of Sulley Muntari and Kelvin Prince Boateng, but it fell on deaf ears,” Jawula told Ghana News Agency.

"If we go into the [Afcon] competition like the way we did against Egypt, it will not help us. In football, you have to create or liaise with your players. It gives you an extra advantage. Your opponent would have the feeling that they are facing a group of lions and they become scared of you which is an advantage for you.

"We should open our eyes during the call-ups because we have other big players in Europe. We need to scout well, we have to find a way and get back to our very best.

"But in our team who is the lion now? Dede Ayew, Jordan Ayew, fine. Who else will they talk about again and who will they be afraid of? You need a team that would make your opponent panic and that's why we need Sulley and Kelvin back in the squad.

He added: "When Bukhard Ziese was the coach of Ghana in the early 1990s. We played a match against Nigeria and Abedi 'Pele' Ayew was not fit to play, he still decided to add him to the squad to cause panic to the Super Eagles. They did not know when he would be thrown into the game."

Ghana, who are in search of their first Afcon title since 1982, have been paired with Egypt, Uganda and Mali in the upcoming edition set for Gabon in January.