‘Hearts of Oak’s Barnieh deserves Black Stars call-up’ – Kotoko legend

Asante Kotoko legend Sarfo Gyamfi insists Hearts of Oak attacking midfielder Daniel Afriyie Barnieh is one of Ghana’s best forwards and deserves to be handed a Black Stars call-up.

The 20-year-old was overlooked by Black Stars technical handlers despite his impressive form for Ghana at the 2021 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations, where he captained the Black Satellites to win the continental championship for the first time in 12 years.

However, the tournament’s Best Player Fatawu Issahaku of Sporting CP and Rio Ave right-back Philemon Baffour were promoted to the Black Stars.

After helping Hearts of Oak achieve their historic treble last term, Barnieh has played a key role in the Phobian’s Ghana Premier League campaign this season, scoring 8 goals in 24 appearances, with 6 games remaining.

“Philemon Baffour and Fatawu Issahaku were picked from the Under-20 team but Afriyie Barnieh was left out. He is the top marksman in the Hearts of Oak attack. Why has he been overlooked?” Sarfo Gyamfi, a former Black Stars midfielder quizzed during an interview with Kumasi based Kessben FM.

“He (Barnieh) is one of the best strikers in Ghana football because he is a struggler, who fights for balls in attack. Are we saying a player is only good when he plays abroad? Benjamin Tetteh is not better than Afriyie Barnieh. Barnieh has to be called to Black Stars,” the 1992 AFCON silver medallist opined.

To land a call-up to the Black Stars, Barnieh would face stiff competion from Ghana’s Europe-born forwards including Ansgar Knauff, Hudson-Odoi, Eddie Nketiah, Nico and Inaki Williams once they complete their nationality switch.