Veteran coach Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong has expressed disappointment over the continued omission of locally based players from the Black Stars squad, despite persistent calls for the inclusion of a quota of home-based talents in the national team.
He believes the consistent overlooking of players from the domestic league could have a demoralising effect on them and raise questions about the quality and competitiveness of the Ghana Premier League.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) last week released a 24-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Cote d’Ivoire and The Gambia, with Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, the only locally based player named.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports in an interview yesterday, Coach Sarpong expressed disappointment that Black Stars head coach, Carlos Queiroz, could not identify any outfield player in the domestic league worthy of a place in the squad.
“We don't know whether the local league is good or not because of the absence of the local boys,” he said.
The veteran coach questioned the argument that local-based players were not good enough for the senior national team, pointing out that the same players who were overlooked while playing in Ghana often earned Black Stars call-ups shortly after securing contracts with foreign clubs.
“They say the local boys are not good enough to play in the Black Stars, but it is the same boys who travel and, after one or two years, suddenly get invited to the national team,” he said.
Coach Sarpong argued that the continued absence of local players from the Black Stars could negatively affect the motivation of players competing in the domestic league.
He said giving deserving local players opportunities with the national team would not only motivate them but also provide an indication of the standard of the domestic competition.
Meanwhile, Coach Sarpong has described Ghana's upcoming AFCON qualifiers as potentially difficult, citing concerns about the team's preparations ahead of the matches.
He was particularly concerned about the timing of Coach Queiroz's arrival in Ghana, saying the Portuguese coach should have been in the country earlier to prepare adequately for the qualifiers.
“By now, the coach should have been around, waiting to welcome the players and plan for the matches,” he said.
Ghana are scheduled to face Cote d’Ivoire and The Gambia in the upcoming AFCON qualifying campaign as they begin their quest to secure a place at the tournament.
