Accra: Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan has stated that local players should earn a place in the Black Stars squad based on performance, not through quotas. According to him, players invited to the national team must be capable of performing at the highest level to help the team succeed and win trophies.
According to Ghana Web, the all-time Black Stars top scorer emphasised that the same principle should apply to locally based footballers, whose performances must earn them call-ups rather than guaranteed spots through quotas. Gyan reiterated this stance during an interview with Channel One TV, highlighting the need for merit-based selection criteria.
This perspective comes amid growing calls from pundits and former footballers urging Black Stars management to reserve quotas for local players. Supporters of the proposal argue that such a move would help promote the Ghana Premier League and other domestic competitions, while also encouraging local footballers.
However, Gyan believes it would set a bad precedent for national team selection, warning that quotas for certain players could harm the team's future competitiveness. He stressed that the focus should remain on ensuring that each player has the necessary skills and capabilities to contribute effectively to the team's success.