Former Ghana goalkeeper Abubakari Damba has strongly suggested that Amiens midfielder, Emmanuel Lomotey will come good over the next few seasons playing for the Blackstars.



On Friday, 30^th October,2020, Ghana head coach, C.K Akonnor named his 23-man-squad set to battle Sudan in a double clash, featuring prominently in the list was Amiens SC midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey.

Lomotey received massive backlash from football lovers after he failed to justify his inclusion against Mali in a friendly encounter in Turkey.

According to the former Blackstars player, the technically gifted midfielder possesses extraordinary qualities which will inure to the benefit of the national team should we (nation) exercise patience with him.



Damba in an interview with Citi TV’s “The Tracker” show strongly backed the player, who he thinks has a lot to give to the Black Stars.

“For now we may not be getting the best performances from Lomotey, but in 2 years he will take over the midfield,”

“This is a box to box midfielder like Thomas Partey. No disrespect to Thomas but Lomotey, technically, he is a delight to watch.

“Like I said before, Lomotey is a complete player, he is a great passer of the ball and he has an excellent delivery from dead ball situations,” he concluded.

In a related development, Ghana’s former Kotoko assistant trainer Isaac ‘Opeele’ Boateng has backed Abu Damba on claims that Emmanuel Lomotey should be given ample time to play, gel and showcase his skills in the coming years.

“Anyways, I personally understand many criticism of the young chap in the team. However, he played so well for the U23 in Egypt and has played seven games for his side in Amiens.

The Black Stars will battle Sudan on November 12 at the Cape Coast Stadium before heading to Omdurman for the second leg five days later.

Ghana coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor named his 23-man squad that will square off with fellow African faithful, Sudan for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series on Friday, October 30, 2020.



A quick peek through the list sees, Amiens midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey making the squad following subpar performance in his debut game against Mali, where the country were heavily battered.

Many have been quick to question reasons surrounding Emmanuel Lomotey’s call-up but the Ghana headcoach, CK Akonnor a man with numerous years of experience knows it’s imperative to give players equal opportunities to justify themselves hence reason for his inclusion into the team ahead of the doubleheader against Sudan.

Lomotey will be thanking his stars for getting the opportunity to unwrite his wrongs and playing out his heart out this time around in order to cement his place in a choked Blackstars midfielder gifted with players of similar traits as himself or even better.

He has stared in 7 matches this season in Ligue 2, playing a total of 416 minutes yet to score or assist in the ongoing league for Amiens SC.

Akonnor and his charges will be looking to fend of stiff competition from Sudan to secure qualification in the doubleheader in November.

The Black Stars will host Falcons of Jediane at the Cape Coast Stadium on November 12 before flying to Khartoum for the reverse fixture on Tuesday, November 17.

After several months of football hiatus, clearance has been given for a resumption of football activities, national teams will have a fair taste in order to pit their strength against each other to identify weakness for ratifications.



This development has however paved way Ghana Black Stars coach, Charles Akonnor, who has named a 23-man squad for next month’s international friendly against Mali.

Emmanuel Lomotey one of five debutants to be handed the rare privilege of playing for the senior national team is full of joy at the opportunity.

The young industrious midfielder in an exclusive interview with Saharafootball.net couldn’t hide his excitement.

“I am grateful for the call-up, I least expected it, I will give my all to help mother Ghana anytime I get the opportunity,” he said.

He went on to suggest that, as a player, it was his long held ambition to don the national colors of the country.

“For quite a long time, I have always said to myself that I will play for the country and indeed it’s a privilege to earn a call-up” he ended.

Lomotey currently plies his trade in France with Amiens SC.

He is yet to score or assist having featured 3 times this season in Ligue 2, playing a total of 168 minutes.

The former Ghana U23 midfielder,who was part of Blackstars B side that won 2017 Wafu Cup of Nations on home soil will grab the chance to stake his claim to a starting berth in CK Akonnor’s startup should he feature against Mali in Antalya, Turkey on October 9,2020 and three days later against Qatar.