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The Black Stars new coach has been urged to give a chance to home-based players.

Ghana's minister for sports Isaac Asiamah wants newly-appointed Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah to consider home-based players in team selections.

The 56-year-old, who is set to replace Israeli coach Avram Grant, will commence work on May 1.

The former Asante Kotoko manager returns to the Black Stars after three years, having led the side between 2012 and 2014.

“Government is ready to give the necessary support to Kwesi Appiah to succeed as the Black Stars coach,” Asiamah said on Tuesday.

“I urge [him] to be fair and firm in his selections. Every Ghanaian is happy he is back and we must all support him.

“I will urge [him] to keep an eye on the local league because I believe we have lots of talent in the league.

“Our local players, I think, must also be given a chance in the Black Stars team and I know Kwesi Appiah will watch our local game and get some good players as well.”

The lack of opportunities for home-based players was one of the main topics of the immediate-past regime.

In Grant's 23-man squad for the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, the Israeli's last assignment with the Black Stars, there was no place for an outfield player from the domestic league.