Kofi Adams raises concern over lack of home-based players in Black Queens squad

Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, has expressed concern over the limited representation of Ghana-based players in the Black Queens, warning that the issue could become a bigger problem for the national teams if left unaddressed.

Adams believes the growing reliance on foreign-based players in Ghana’s senior men’s and women’s national teams raises questions about the development and opportunities available to footballers playing in the domestic leagues.

The minister’s remarks come amid growing debate over the role of locally based players in the national teams, particularly after Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare emerged as the only Ghana Premier League representative in the Black Stars squad for their recent 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

Speaking in an interview with Citi FM, Adams said the situation was also becoming evident in the senior women’s national team and called for urgent action to address the problem.

“The same thing is even impacting our senior female national teams now. You hardly will find local players in the teams, which is not good,” the Buem MP said.

“The earlier we correct that one too, the better, before tomorrow we get to the same problem that we have arrived at when it comes to the senior male national team,” he added.

His comments follow similar concerns about the Black Stars, where he disclosed that the Sports Ministry had recommended that the committee searching for a new head coach prioritise a candidate willing to spend more time in Ghana if a foreign coach is appointed.

The Black Queens recently secured a 10-0 aggregate victory over Mauritius in the second round of the qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games, booking their place in the final qualifying round.

Ghana will face Zambia in February as they seek to secure a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.