Black Stars players must be active at club level and exceptional – Laryea Kingston

Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston says players selected for the Black Stars must either be competing at the highest level or possess exceptional qualities that make them stand out.

Kingston’s comments come after Ghana’s disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, with the Black Stars losing their opening two matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

The defeats have left Ghana bottom of Group C without a point and facing the possibility of missing a second consecutive AFCON tournament.

Speaking to 3Sports, Kingston said playing regularly at club level should be a key consideration when selecting players for the national team.

“I will look at so many factors before you’re qualified for the senior national team. A senior national team player should be playing for a top 10 team in the world. If not, he must be extraordinary,” he said.

Kingston also stressed the importance of regular playing time, whether as a starter or substitute.

“Secondly, they are getting regular playing minutes; either starting or coming off the bench,” he added.

The former Ghana winger believes too many members of the current squad are struggling for regular opportunities at their clubs, which he says affects their performances with the Black Stars.

“Most of our players are bench warmers in their clubs. When you look at the top four teams at the World Cup, almost all the players, even those on the bench, are active players in their clubs,” Kingston said.

He added that a lack of regular football can become evident when players with different levels of match fitness and activity are brought together in the national team.

“When a player who is active plays with an inactive player on the same team, it automatically shows the forms. Because the more you play, the more your value and skill grow,” he said.

Kingston, who is currently head coach of Uganda’s Under-17 side, has also expressed interest in succeeding Carlos Queiroz as Ghana coach after the Portuguese resigned following the Black Stars’ poor start to the AFCON qualifiers.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, has established a five-member technical search committee to lead the process of appointing a new head coach.

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

Ghana missed the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and are now at risk of missing the tournament again.

The Black Stars are scheduled to return to action next month when they face Somalia in a double-header at the Accra Sports Stadium.