Adding players born outside the continent to national teams across Africa has become the new norm now, with the likes of D.R Congo, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, Cape Verde, Cameroon, and so many others taking that route.
Top-notch players like Bryan Mbeumo, Riyad Mahrez, Achraf Hakimi, Kalidou Koulibaly, Calvin Bassey, Evan Ndicka, Ademola Lookman, Wan-Bissaka, Garry Mendes Rodrigues, and Steve Mounie were all born outside Africa but represent African national teams.
For some countries, the plan is to bring on board all players with roots there, but the truth is, 99.9% of players see African sides as a second option.
The Ghana Football Association continues to search for European-born footballers who trace their origins to Ghana.
The mission has helped us add players like Manchester City’s Antonie Semenyo, Elisha Owusu of Auxerre, Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew, Union Berlin’s Derrick Arthur Kohn, Spartak Moscow’s Alexander Djiku, Basaksehir’s Jerome Opoku, Tariq Lamptey of Fiorentina, Coventry City’s Thomas-Asante Brandon and many others to the Black Stars.
There are so many players across Europe who qualify to play for the Black Stars, with Ghanaians calling on the GFA to expedite their plans to add them to the team for the World Cup and beyond.
Calum Hudson Odoi and Eddie Nketia are two players who ply their trade in the English top-flight for Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. The duo have divided opinions in Ghana as many want them to be included in the Black Stars. Many also do not want them to be part of the team because they have refused call-ups many years ago, allegedly.
The two are undoubtedly talented and will add a lot to the team’s attack if Ghana can swallow its pride and invite them.
Kuffuor’s interview with Michael Oti Adjei
In an interview with veteran sports journalist, Michael Oti Adjei, the former defender asked, “If your son is Jude Bellingham, and both parents are from Ghana, will you allow him to play for Ghana or England? Whether we like it or not, we are the second choice”.
The question Kuffuor asked will demand a very difficult answer from a Ghanaian perspective. Put yourself in the shoes of Jude Bellingham’s parents and decide, if England and Ghana call your son at the same time, who would you advise him to choose? The England national team will have a massive advantage because Jude was born and bred there. Jude has his family in England. Jude’s friends are in England, so choosing the Three Lions will be an easy decision.
Kuffuor continued, “If Doku, [Jeremie] Frimpong, and all those players. If we had got them young, all of them would play for Ghana. Let’s get them young. That’s why I’m using the office in Europe”.
Young players like Manchester United and Chelsea’s Ayden Heaven (19) and Josh Acheampong (19) qualify to play for Ghana due to their roots. Ghana has not made enough effort to convince them.
When PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye convinced the world of his talent, Senegal did not spend much time convincing him to switch nationality, having represented France U16, 17, 18, 19, and 20.
Asane Diao, 18, was born in Ndangane in Senegal but was groomed in Spain. The talented Como winger played for Spain U18, 19 and 21, yet Senegal was able to convince him to switch nationality, where he has already won four caps for the Lions of Teranga.
The difference here is that Senegal acts fast while Ghana relaxes in their pursuit of youngsters. Senegal swallows their pride while Ghana doesn’t.
The Moroccan national team has been successful in convincing players who trace their origins to the North African country. Morocco chases them at the ages of 15 and 16. Morocco assures them of proper support. Morocco has a correct system in place, so turning the heads of young footballers is easy.
The ex-Ghana defender is 100 per cent right in my opinion. It is spontaneous that the players born and trained in Europe will forever make African sides a second choice because their brains, souls and hearts are nurtured there.
The GFA must listen to Kuffuor’s advice. Ghana must get them early because it is the latest trend in town.
