Former Black Stars defender Samuel Osei Kuffour has opened up on Ghana’s struggle to secure the commitment of dual-nationality players, calling for a more deliberate and early approach in engaging talents abroad.
Speaking in an interview, the ex-FC Bayern Munich star admitted that Ghana frequently loses out to European countries when competing for players with Ghanaian roots. According to him, many of these players naturally lean towards nations with stronger football structures and global appeal.
Kuffour explained that, in reality, Ghana is often not the first option for such players. He illustrated this by referencing top talents like Jude Bellingham, suggesting that most families would prefer their children to represent countries like England over Ghana if given the choice.
The former defender, who made over 50 appearances for the national team, believes the solution lies in identifying and nurturing these players early in their careers.
He stressed that if Ghana had moved quickly to engage players such as Jérémy Doku and Jeremie Frimpong, they might have chosen to represent the Black Stars instead of Belgium and the Netherlands.
With the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup ongoing, the discussion around dual-national players has become more important. There are ongoing debates about whether Ghana should consider players who initially chose other countries but may now be open to switching allegiance.
Kuffour maintains that the key is long-term planning—engaging young talents early and building strong relationships before they commit elsewhere.
