Director of Communications of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has explained the scouting and analytical process that informed the selection of the Black Stars’ provisional 28-man squad for camping and the upcoming pre-World Cup friendly against Wales in Cardiff.

The squad announcement, which included five goalkeepers and excluded players such as Joseph Paintsil, Majeed Ashimeru, and Derrick Köhn, has attracted criticism from sections of the media and football fans.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Asante Twum said the technical team relied on a structured evaluation process involving video analysis, live scouting, and performance monitoring.

According to him, approximately 200 player videos were reviewed, while 170 matches were monitored live during the scouting period.

“About 200 videos were reviewed to assess individual players. The technical team also analysed 170 matches through live monitoring,” he said.

He added that 75 players were systematically scouted, with 30 of them observed live by the technical team.

“All assessments were documented to support medium- and long-term planning and inform the selection of the 28-man squad,” he stated.

The Black Stars have begun preparations in Cardiff ahead of their international friendly against Wales on June 2.

Ghana, making their fifth FIFA World Cup appearance, will compete in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field before facing England at Gillette Stadium on June 23 and Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field on June 27.

The team is seeking to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010 after exiting at the group stage in both the 2014 and 2022 tournaments.