Ghanaian football legend Rev Osei Kofi has voiced his belief that contemporary young talents in Ghana are primarily playing football to market themselves rather than for the love of the game.
Osei Kofi, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Ghana, reminisced about his playing days, emphasizing that their motivation was rooted in passion and patriotism. “We were amateurs; we played for the love of the game and for Ghana. But now, they are professionals, so they are playing for themselves to be bought,” he told Joy Sports in an interview.
Kofi was part of the celebrated squads that secured the Africa Cup of Nations titles for Ghana in 1963 and 1965. He was also a member of the renowned “Fearsome Five,” which included Peter Lamptey, Mahama Acquah, Anas Seidu, and Robert Hammond.
The recent lackluster performances of the Black Stars in major tournaments have been attributed to a perceived lack of patriotism among the players, who are seen as reluctant to commit fully due to the risk of injury.
Ghana has not won the Africa Cup of Nations since 1982.
