Legendary  Ghanaian striker Augustine Arhinful says he would have loved to see at least one local-based player in the Black Stars squad for the upcoming friendlies.

Head coach Kwesi Appiah named his 21-man squad for the games against Japan and Iceland with no player from the Ghanaian topflight making the list.

Many advocates of the team were left disappointed after standout players in the ongoing Zylofon Cash league such as Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan, Medeama SC's dead ball specialist Akwasi Donsu and Bechem United's sharp-shooter Hafiz Konkoni.

“A job has been given to the national team coach in the person of Kwesi Appiah to build the team,” he said on Joy Sports Track Monday.

“In as much as Felix Annan has played so well so far, the coach feels that these are the two goalkeepers he has to invite.''

''I would have loved to see some local players in there. Because this is the time and the essence of playing friendly matches are to test players and see how ready they are for the upcoming or impending matches.''

''But I cannot also force the coach because there is a goal that has been set for him by his bosses to win the next Nations Cup so let give him all the support,” he added.

Black Stars will clash with the Samurai Blue on 30th May and Iceland seven days later.

The games are part of preparations for their upcoming 2019 AFCON qualifying games which will come off later this year.