Augustine Arhinful, a former Ghanaian international, is advocating for the return of Alfred Duncan and Jeffrey Schlupp to the Black Stars team. Arhinful believes that these two midfielders, who had previously retired from international football, are sorely missed.
Alfred Duncan, who currently plays in Italy’s Serie A, announced his retirement in May 2022. In a heartfelt letter, he explained his decision to step away from the national team after his last appearance in 2018.
Jeffrey Schlupp, on the other hand, has not been part of the Black Stars since he was dropped before the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In an interview on Happy FM, Arhinful expressed his concern about the lack of consistency within the Black Stars. He emphasized the importance of having recognizable players in the squad and pointed out that successful teams like Senegal, Nigeria, and Egypt have identifiable players.
Arhinful called for better scouting to ensure that only the most suitable players represent the national team. He also expressed disappointment in Coach Chris Hughton, who has been with the team for a while, and urged efforts to bring back players like Duncan and Schlupp even before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Arhinful used examples such as Lionel Messi, who reversed his decision to retire from international football, and the impressive performances of Duncan and Schlupp in European leagues to support his argument.