Black Stars Team Doctor Clarifies Role: “We Don’t Pick Players, We Determine Availability”

The medical head of Ghana’s Black Stars, Dr. Prince Pambo has clarified the scope of his responsibilities, stressing that while the medical team plays a crucial role in player readiness, final squad selection remains entirely outside their mandate.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey, team doctor Dr. Pambo explained that the medical unit’s primary duty is to assess and certify which players are fit and available for selection not to decide who makes the squad.

Dr. Pambo made it clear that the medical department does not interfere with tactical or technical decisions.

“The main job of the head of medical is basically to be stuck to about three, four, five screens almost every weekend and midweek,” he said, describing the constant monitoring required to track players across global leagues.

He emphasized that while medical staff closely observe player conditions, their role is strictly advisory on fitness and availability.

“We don’t determine who makes the team. We determine who is available for the coach to make a selection from,” he stated.

The team doctor noted that modern football requires continuous communication with clubs where Ghanaian players are based, ensuring accurate updates on injuries, recovery, and match fitness.

“If you have a player with Tottenham Hotspur, you have a player with Atlético Madrid, or a player in the Major League Soccer, you need to be in touch with the doctors, physios, and performance staff of those clubs,” he stated

Dr. Pambo also highlighted the broader responsibilities of the medical department, including procurement of medical supplies and coordination with national football authorities ahead of major tournaments.

These preparations, he noted, often begin long before competition periods and require collaboration with institutions such as the Ghana Football Association.

Ultimately, while coaches decide who plays, the medical team determines who is physically cleared to be in contention, a distinction that underscores the balance between health management and sporting strategy in elite football.