Grant: I chose the best for Afcon

Outgoing Ghana coach Avram Grant believes he chose the best players for the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The Black Stars' quest to claim a fifth continental title ended in flames following a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Cameroon.

Even before arriving in Gabon, Grant had provoked criticism for his choice of final 23-man squad for the tournament.

“I think we chose the best players and we didn’t have any superstars on our side," Grant told Ghana Web.

“We chose players for the future and young players who didn’t have any experience because I’m not working for the present but for the future.

“I am disappointed that Kwadwo Asamoah didn’t come and he is really a top player.

"All the [other] best players were in the squad and they did everything; their fighting spirit was good, but one moment [of mistake and] we were out."

Schalke 04 youngster Bernard Tekpetey was picked by Grant despite the 19-year-old having made only two senior club appearances.

Andy Yiadom of English side Barnsley was also selected, even without a prior appearance for Ghana at any level.

Likewise, new Stuttgart acquisition Ebenezer Ofori also made the cut, only going ahead to make his Ghana debut at the tournament proper.

In the other direction, Lorient striker Abdul Majeed Waris was ignored, despite having been Ghana's most prolific striker in the top five European leagues.

There was also no place for then Austria Lustenau striker Raphael Dwamena, who netted 18 goals in 20 season matches, while 2015-16 Ghana Premier League top scorer Latif Blessing was also overlooked.

There was again no room for Chicago Fire's David Accam, who was adjudged Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player by the Major League Soccer outfit last season.

England-based Jeffrey Schlupp was also snubbed despite winning the Premier League with Leicester City last season.