Ghanaian-based UK journalist Rahman Osman has urged Black Stars Head Coach Otto Addo to use the final two rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers to give young players a chance in the games against Angola and Niger.

With Ghana’s qualification prospects looking slim, Osman believes this is an ideal time for Addo to integrate emerging talents into the team.

Speaking in an interview with 3Sports, Osman emphasized how this could address the calls from Ghanaians for new faces in the team.

“What the manager now has to do is, with key players missing, there is an opportunity for those who normally wouldn't play, for players who have been in and around the team but never really got the chance,” Osman said. “For so long, a lot of Ghanaians have been crying for a new team, to give opportunities to local players and those called up but never played. Now, with eight or nine players missing, there's the opportunity to see if these players are good enough.”

Osman also pointed out that while the Black Stars are dependent on results from other teams to qualify for AFCON, this situation could serve as motivation for the squad to raise their performance levels, even though winning both games might not guarantee qualification.

“Normally when you’re pushed against the wall, that’s when you see what you’re made of, and right now, the Black Stars are in that position. They don’t have their destiny in their own hands, so it’s a difficult situation because, even if they win both games, it might still not be enough,” he added.

Otto Addo will be hoping that the players chosen to face Angola and Niger will deliver their best performances, with more than just victories needed to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON.

FKA/OGB