Former Ghana defender Sam Johnson has proposed the inclusion of home-based players in the Black Stars’ squad for the final matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
The Black Stars will conclude their qualification campaign with a crucial encounter against the Palancas Negras in Luanda, followed by a home match against Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium.
With Ghana’s chances of qualification hanging in the balance, Johnson believes this presents an ideal opportunity to test and build confidence in local players.
Speaking to Graphic Sports, the former Hearts of Oak defender emphasized the importance of giving domestic talent exposure at the international level.
“I really want the local guys to go and play in these last AFCON matches. We could bring in local players and add a few foreign-based ones to give them exposure.
“It will help build their confidence and morale.”
However, Johnson also acknowledged the challenges associated with this approach, citing concerns over the current quality of the local league.
“The question is, which of these players would you invite? Based on what I’ve seen, I’m not confident.
“Our league’s standard is low, and you can’t call up these players if we want to avoid heavy losses.”
Johnson further lamented the dwindling interest in the local league, highlighting the struggle of even historically popular clubs, like Hearts of Oak, to attract fans.
“With the local league, people aren’t motivated to watch. Even Hearts of Oak supporters aren’t attending matches.
“When was the last time you saw Accra Sports Stadium full, apart from Black Stars games?” he asked.
Despite these concerns, Johnson insists that investing in local talent could be beneficial in the long run, as it would provide players with valuable experience that could enhance their performance in future tournaments.
Meanwhile, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is expected to announce his squad for the upcoming qualifiers later this week.
Ghana currently sits third in Group F with two points from four games, trailing Angola and Sudan.
The Black Stars’ hopes of securing qualification rest on a strong finish and favorable results in other matches, including potential losses for Sudan in their final games.
