Ex-Ghana international Albert Essuman says Black Stars Coach Kwesi Appiah should be given ample time to put together a formidable squad that could challenge for trophies in competitive tournaments.

The Black Stars failed to progress to the finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in South Africa after a penalty shoot-out with the Stallions of Burkina Faso on Wednesday.

Speaking exclusively to Ghanaweb from Hanover-Germany, the former Asante Kotoko, Sekondi Hasaacas winger insisted that the Ghanaian team could have performed superbly if certain plays were not on the injury list.

The midfielder who was a key member of the Asante Kotoko squad that conquered Africa in 1972 argued that Kwesi Appiah’s approach to the tournament “was encouraging” compared to the previous expatriates coaches who had adequate time to prepare the team.

“All this foreign coaches who don’t even get the chance in Europe and their home countries even had more time but could not propel the team to a winsome side. But barely ten months Kwesi Appiah has been able to achieve enough with the team,” Mr Essuman who was popularly known as Baby Pele during his playing days added.

Touching on Dede Ayew’s exclusion, Baby Pele said Kwesi Appiah should not been lampooned for the disciplinary measure he took against the player, stressing that “no individual is bigger than the team”.

But he was quick to add that the presence of Dede Ayaw and a couple of players in the coming fixtures will be a plus for the squad.

“The player was punished for some reasons but it does not mean we should not invite him again because we all know that he is a very good player and his contribution will be very useful,” he added.