Ghana must use more local players in Black Stars – Takyi Arhin

Aduana FC General Manager Takyi Arhin has called for more Ghana Premier League players to be given opportunities in the Black Stars following the team’s poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

Ghana began their Group C campaign with defeats by Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, leaving their hopes of reaching the tournament in a difficult position.

Speaking on Sporty FM, Arhin questioned whether domestic-based players were being given enough opportunities to compete for places in the national team.

He specifically compared former Medeama midfielder Salim Adams with Black Stars midfielder Kwasi Sibo, asking whether the former could offer more to the national team.

“The ‘borgas’ in the Black Stars are not prepared to take us to the AFCON, so it’s time to focus on having more local players in the national team,” Arhin said.

“Is Salim Adams not better than Kwasi Sibo? We have to start using the local players and stop relying so much on the ‘borgas’.”

Arhin also questioned why Ghana’s foreign-based players appeared to perform differently during the World Cup qualifiers compared with the opening matches of the AFCON campaign.

“Just look at how they [foreign players] play in the World Cup qualifiers compared to the AFCON qualifiers,” he added.

Ghana will attempt to revive their qualification hopes when they face Somalia in a double-header in November.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), together with the Ministry of Sports, has established a five-member committee to oversee the search for a new Black Stars head coach following the departure of Carlos Queiroz.

The committee is expected to submit its report to the Sports Ministry on Friday, 9 October.

The four-time African champions are seeking a return to the AFCON after missing the previous edition in Morocco.