Ghana coach Chris Hughton says every player is pushing for a start, insisting there’s no absolute standout starting line-up.
The 64-year-old is preparing his side for an important 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Madagascar later this week.
The Black Stars trained on Monday and Tuesday and will now hold a third session behind closed doors on Wednesday, with 24 players currently in camp.
Addressing the press after Tuesday’s training session, Hughton said no player has a permanent spot in his starting line-up.
“There is no absolute standout first XI. Whatever the squad is, whether 23, 24 or 25, players are all pushing to want to start,” the Ghana boss said, as quoted by Joy Sports.
“For expectation as a coach, you always have to give your players all of the information and when we do our homework and when we watch our opponent, there isn’t one that we think we are going win this game easy.”
‘Happy Thomas’ 😁#BlackStars | @Thomaspartey22 https://t.co/9ACEYvrPWB pic.twitter.com/dzcufkYKdP
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 13, 2023
The Black Stars will travel to Madagascar on June 18, 2023, as they aim to preserve their top spot in Group E of the qualifiers.
Hughton’s side currently sits at the top of Group E, which also contains Angola and the Central African Republic.
The West African can, therefore, seal their place at next year’s AFCON if they manage to beat Madagascar on Sunday.