Relegate Essien, Muntari Against Nertherlands

Former Black Starlets coach, Opeele Adade Boateng, has advised coach Akwasi Appiah to relegate Essien and Muntari to the bench ahead of Saturday�s friendly match against Netherlands. Black Stars are billed to take on The Netherlandsin an international friendly in Rotterdam as part of their preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Speaking on UTV midday news, Coach Opeele said the friendly match against The Netherlands is an opportunity for Ghanaian football fans to see the quality of the team Akwasi Appiah is presenting at the World Cup. According to him, Akwasi Appiah should select the best 11 players in his provisional 26-man squad against The Netherlands, adding that Essien and Muntari should be dropped to the bench due to their current playing form. �I want Appiah to start the friendly match against Holland with his best 11 players. I think Essien and Muntari should be on the bench because of their erratic playing time for their club side AC Milan. Ghanaians want to see the team he intends to parade in Brazil,� the former Black Starlets coach said. Opeele urged that enough time should be given to the likes of Afriyie Acquah, David Accam and Jeffrey Schlupp to prove their worth. According to him, a player like Afriyie Acquah enjoyed a successive spell at his club, Parma, in the Italian Serie A �so for that matter it will be very unfair if he does not make Appaih�s final 23- man squad.� �Afriyie Acquah is one Ghanaian player who also performed so well in the Italian Serie A and even in the welfare match that was played in Ghana last Friday� I think he needs a place in the team,� coach Opeele stressed. He noted that Appiah should use inform players to start the game and then make substitutions as the need arises. �He can start with the best 11 and then make substitutions as the game progresses. It may not be possible for him to play everyone but he should ensure that the possible 23 are given enough time to play. �I also want him to let Ghanaians see what Afriyie, Accam and Schlupp have to offer. He should give them enough time to prove themselves,�Opeele indicated. The former Kotoko handler was optimistic The Netherlands will give the Black Stars a good match.