Emmanuel Afranie wants coach Kwesi Appiah to be left alone to select his men for AFCON 2013

Veteran coach Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie has warned journalists against pressuring coach Kwesi Appiah ahead of naming his final squad for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

With barely two months for the start of the continental showpiece many local journalists, fans and coaches have launched serious campaigns for specific players to be included in the final list.

Two top coaches in the country – David Duncan and JE Sarpong have clamoured for the inclusion of Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston into the set-up following his outstanding performance against Kotoko in the Super Clash at the Baba Yara stadium last Sunday.

The phenomenon of craving for the inclusion of certain players into the Black Stars ahead of major tournaments are not new in Ghana.

But the experienced trainer believes such unwarranted calls could destabilize the team ahead of the tournament in South Africa.

“The growing calls for certain players to be called up into the Black Stars should stop,” Afranie told Radio XYZ

“Journalists, fans and all the stakeholders should just allow the coach to do his work and select the players he deems fit to represent the country.

“It’s his only his perogative  and no-one else’s. The buck stops with him. We should allow him time and space to select his own team.

“He is competent enough to know which players will best serve his purpose. I don’t think it the work of anybody to tell him which players he should call.

“Why then did we give him the job when on daily basis, we are practically forcing him to call player A or B.

“It’s simply not correct. You think he doesn’t want to win the Nations Cup? So please people should just leave him alone to do his work.”

The Ghana coach is in the final phase of naming his squad for the continental showpiece which will be held from January 19- February 10.

Ghana are desirous of ending a 31-year wait for an African crown.

The four-time African Champions  have played catch-ups in the past 30-years where they have failed to win the title.

They placed fourth at the last edition held in Gabon and Equitorial Guinea.