Ghanaian forward Bernard Tekpetey has questioned the Black Stars’ selection process, insisting his consistent performances in European football have deserved far greater recognition from the national team.
The Ludogorets attacker expressed his disappointment over his prolonged absence from the Black Stars, arguing that his impressive club form over the years has not been rewarded with further opportunities at international level.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based sports journalist Perry Paisley, the 29-year-old reflected on his outstanding 2018/19 campaign with German club SC Paderborn, where he scored 10 goals and registered eight assists, yet failed to earn another national team call-up.
Tekpetey admitted he has struggled to understand why he has remained on the sidelines despite consistently delivering in Europe.
“If it’s not my time to be called, then why did they call me when I was 18? And when I came, I came to prove to the Ghanaians that I can do it. So, why didn’t they call me after that?” he asked.
The former Schalke 04 forward also questioned what he believes are inconsistencies in player selection, suggesting that footballers competing and performing in elite European competitions have sometimes been overlooked in favour of players from less competitive leagues.
“If you’re playing in Europe and you’re playing in the Champions League or Europa League, you’re scoring, you’re making assists and all of a sudden, a national team comes up, and they don’t call you, and they go and call somebody from Slovakia or Cyprus or Czech Republic to come and play ahead of you, even with zero goals, zero assists, how would you feel? You would feel very bad,” he said.
Despite his frustration, Tekpetey stressed that he was not blaming any individual or directly criticising the Ghana Football Association, acknowledging that the national team has its own selection philosophy.
The striker added that his primary focus remains performing consistently for his club rather than allowing international disappointment to affect his career.
“Sometimes you just have to close your eyes because you’re not playing because of the national team. You’re playing in your club because you want to excel, you want to make yourself very proud, you want to take care of your family, and you want to make sure everything is good for yourself,” he added.
Tekpetey made his senior Black Stars debut against Egypt at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations on January 25, 2017, and has earned just two international caps. Despite maintaining a successful club career in Europe, the forward has yet to receive another sustained opportunity with Ghana’s senior national team.
