Nurudeen Amadu, coach of FC Samartex, is championing a balanced approach to player selection within Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars, emphasizing the importance of including both foreign-based and homegrown talents.
Amadu has voiced concerns over the excessive reliance on foreign players, shedding light on the wealth of talent within the Ghana Premier League that often goes unnoticed.
He has emphasized the necessity for national selectors to give local players more opportunities to display their abilities on the global stage.
While acknowledging the autonomy of the national team management in their selection process, Amadu has called for meaningful playing time for local talents to enhance their confidence and performance. He cited the successful integration of local players alongside foreign-based ones in teams like Madagascar as a model to follow.
Amadu stated, “The national team handlers know what they are after, and you cannot force them to take a player, but what I want to say is that not only our (Samartex) players but they must look at some local players to encourage them because sometimes the foreign ones who come don’t perform well,” in an interview with Graphic Sports.
He recognized the discretion of the national team handlers but stressed the significance of considering local players, especially since foreign-based players may not consistently meet expectations.
With the Black Stars gearing up for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, discussions about squad selection and the inclusion of domestic talents have intensified. Amadu’s remarks contribute to the ongoing discourse about finding the right balance in player selection to ensure the success of the national team.
In a related development, Amadu has been appointed as the coach of Ghana’s newly established national U-18 team, further highlighting his dedication to nurturing local talent within the country.
