Former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama, has expressed his belief that striking the right balance between homegrown players and foreign-based players is essential for building a strong national team.
This statement comes on the heels of the Black Stars’ disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Ghana’s national team suffered an early exit from the tournament after failing to secure a single victory in the group stage. The Black Stars managed to secure two draws and suffered one defeat, ultimately finishing third in Group B.
Mahama did not mince words in his assessment of the team’s performance, describing it as “abysmal and disastrous.”
He attributed the poor showing to the failure to invest in the development of local talent, emphasizing the need to prioritize nurturing young players and providing them with opportunities to gain experience with local teams before seeking opportunities abroad.
The former president outlined his vision for revitalizing Ghana’s football, emphasizing the importance of fostering a strong foundation of homegrown players who have trained and played together for an extended period.
He stressed that this core group of domestic players should serve as the backbone of the national team, with foreign-based players brought in to complement and enhance the team’s capabilities.
Looking ahead, Mahama expressed his commitment to collaborating with the football association to overhaul Ghana’s football landscape and place a renewed emphasis on developing local talent.
The former president’s comments reflect a proactive approach to addressing the underlying issues that have hindered the success of the national team, signaling a potential shift in the trajectory of Ghanaian football.
