Bechem United winger Augustine Okrah has revealed why he turned down a call-up to the Black Stars for a four-nation tournament in Japan.
The in-form attacker was handed a return to the Black Stars for the Japan trip after being dropped from the initial squad for 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Central African Republic.
Augustine Okrah and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh of Hearts of Oak were axed from the Black Stars squad prior to the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, but were handed a return to the team by coach Otto Addo for the four-nation tournament.
Afriyie Barnieh has honoured the invitation and currently on his way to the Black Stars camp but Okrah has refused to join the trip to Japan.
Since the news of him rejecting the Black Stars call-up popped up, many have been pondering on what may be his reason, and the former Asante Kotoko winger has finally revealed why he turned down the opportunity to join the Black Stars camp.
According to Augustine Okrah, he was not feeling well when the call came for him to return to the Black Stars camp for the Japan trip.
He told astute sportscaster Opoku Afriyie Richmond in an interview that, “I was informed of a call-up to the Black Stars camp for the Japan trip but I was not feeling well, and I told Lord Zico (Bechem United CEO) of my condition.”
Okrah continued that, “I didn’t want to return to the Black Stars camp and disgrace myself. It was an opportunity but I was not feeling too well at that time, and that’s my reason.”
Meanwhile, the Krinn tournament in Japan is to serve as preparation for the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where Ghana will be facing Portugal, Uruguay and Korea Republic.
The Krinn tournament has been slated for June 10-14, 2022 and Ghana will face Japan in the semifinal before meeting either Chile or Tunisia.
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