Former Ghana national football team defender Samuel Kuffuor has weighed in on the growing debate surrounding dual-nationality players, urging Ghana to adopt a more proactive strategy in securing diaspora talent.
Speaking in an interview with 3Sports, the ex-Bayern Munich star admitted that Ghana often struggles to compete with European nations when it comes to attracting players of Ghanaian descent.
“If your son is Jude Bellingham, both parents from Ghana, will you allow Jude Bellingham to play for Ghana or England? Whether we like it or not, we are second choice,” Kuffuor stated.
His remarks come as Ghana intensify efforts to recruit dual-national players ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with several high-profile prospects opting to represent European countries despite their Ghanaian roots.
Kuffuor stressed that early engagement is key to reversing the trend, insisting that many players could have chosen Ghana if approached sooner.
“If Doku, Jeremie Frimpong, and all those players... If we had got them young, all of them would play for Ghana. Let’s get them young,” he explained, highlighting his own efforts to help identify talents in Europe.
Players such as Jeremy Doku and Jeremie Frimpong, both eligible for Ghana, have gone on to represent Belgium and the Netherlands respectively—underscoring the fierce competition for international allegiance.
With the World Cup fast approaching, discussions continue over whether new Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz should target players who initially chose other nations.
For Kuffuor, however, the message is clear: Ghana must act early, build relationships, and secure talent before other countries do
