Former Sports Minister seeks Premier League edge for Ghana in World Cup Clash with England

Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has named Ghana's World Cup match against England as the most critical group stage encounter, advocating for a squad loaded with English Premier League talent to gain a vital psychological and tactical advantage.

"The one I'm looking forward to is the match against England," Vanderpuye stated.

He specifically called for the inclusion of England-based players like Callum Hudson-Odoi, Josh Acheampong, and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi alongside Antoine Semenyo.

"Their presence alone will give us some psychological advantage," he argued, believing their direct familiarity would make English opponents more cautious.

Vanderpuye's strategy centres on the power of on-field knowledge. He contends that Ghanaian stars accustomed to facing top English players in the Premier League would understand their styles better, while the English would face familiar, respected adversaries.

He used the Premier League rivalry between Bukayo Saka and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a clear example. "When you know a player, you know what he's going to do," he explained.

This call adds a significant layer to Ghana's World Cup preparations.

As the Black Stars prepare to face England on June 23 in Group L—which also includes Panama and Croatia—Vanderpuye's comments spotlight the high-stakes squad selection facing head coach Otto Addo, emphasising the belief that familiarity bred in England's top flight could be a decisive factor in the tournament's most anticipated fixture for Ghana.