Ghana legend and former Hearts of Oak player Mohammed Polo says that selection of players into the senior national team the Black Stars must be on merit.

In the run up to the last two AFCON qualifying matches against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe, there were reports that some players were smuggled into C.K Akonnor's roster of invited players.

Although the Ghana FA denied those reports there was clearly some confusion with the selection for those two matches.

There have been a lot of issues with player selection into the Black Stars with many of the opinion that the GFA regime in place at each time force their players onto Black Star coaches.

Polo has urged Akonnor to pick a blend of the best local and foreign players who can help Ghana end the AFCON trophy drought.

"Since many of our players are playing outside Ghana, Akonnor should devise a system of monitoring their performance so that he would know who is in top shape to merit invitation for the tournament"

"But some locals such as Gladson Awako, Abdul-Ganiyu Ismail and Razak Abalora who have proved themselves should also be offered the opportunity to be at the tournament.

"He [Akonnor] should select the best from the locals and foreign-based players and ensure that even his substitutes can turn things around to give Ghana her fifth continental trophy next year."

The Black Stars last won the tournament in 1982 in Libya and have come close to winning the cup on three occasions in 1992, 2010 and 2015.