Ex-Ghana goalkeeper Damba downplays effects of Dauda's Black Stars axing

By Ameenu Shardow, follow on Twitter @alooameenu

Ex Ghana goalkeeper Abubakari Damba insists Fatau Dauda remains a vital member of the Black Stars squad despite his axing for the international friendly match against Montenegro.

The 28-year-old was the major casualty of the latest international call ups as the Black Stars intensify their preparations towards the 2014 World Cup with the friendly against the European side on March 5 in Podgorica.

Dauda has been dropped perceivably due to his relative club inactivity at South African club Orlando Pirates.

The former AshantiGold shot-stopper has played just two competitive games for the Bucs since arriving at the beginning of the season.

Some Ghanaian football fans believe the move by coach Kwesi Appiah is the beginning of the end for Dauda who is now deemed a supporting cast to regular Senzo Meyiwa at the South African club.

But former Black Stars goalkeeper Abubakari Damba feels Dauda’s drop is only a wakeup call and that he remains an integral part of the side.

“It is a categorical no [as to whether it is the end of Fatau Dauda],” Damba told Radio Gold.

“Many have called for the inclusion of Stephen Adams because we have challenges with the goalkeeping department.

“But I don’t think it is the end of the road for [Fatau Dauda] because of his experience with the side.

“But then this will serve a wakeup call for him as the World Cup draw closer.”

Competition for places in the Ghana squad is heating up with a few months to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Black Stars intend going at least one step further than their quarter final finish at the last World Cup in South Africa.