Former Ghanaian international Emmanuel Duah has advocated for a strategic mix of local and foreign players in the Black Stars following the team’s recent difficulties in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Ghana, a four-time AFCON champion, has struggled to find form, managing to secure only two points from their first three matches in Group F. Their chances of qualifying for the upcoming tournament in Morocco took a significant hit after a disappointing 0-0 draw against Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium.
In a recent interview, Duah expressed his frustration regarding the lack of starting opportunities for home-based players within the national team. He emphasized the importance of integrating local talent to strengthen the squad.
“It would be prudent for the coach to at least give three local players starting roles in the Black Stars. Blending local and foreign-based players will make the team stronger,” he told Kessben FM.
Duah further noted, “There should be competition in the team. It shouldn’t always be foreign players. No player should have an automatic spot in the starting eleven. We performed better during our playing days because of competition; local players battled foreign players for starting positions, and this made the team flourish.”
The Black Stars have now arrived in Tripoli, Libya, for a crucial 2025 AFCON qualifier against Sudan. Coach Otto Addo and his squad must secure a positive result in this return fixture to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
