Former Ghana international Derek Boateng has expressed concerns about the Ghana Football Association's (GFA) efforts to attract European-born Ghanaian players to the national team. Despite the successful recruitment of players like Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey, and Antoine Semenyo, Boateng believes the GFA needs a more structured plan to engage young players born in Europe.
Boateng pointed to countries like Germany as examples of proactive scouting and nurturing of young players with German roots. "Certain things are happening which should not be done or allowed, and I believe there is a lot more that must be done," he told Accra-based Kingdom FM. He lamented seeing talented players of Ghanaian descent, such as Kobbie Mainoo, Jeremy Doku, Jeremie Frimpong, and Nico Williams, representing European countries instead.
Sharing his experiences from scouting trips in the USA, Boateng observed other countries' efforts to identify and develop young talent with roots in their respective nations. "I have been in USA for a scouting job multiple times and I have seen expatriates also joining to scout players but they are doing that for their country and I know Germany are doing that," he said. He highlighted Germany's approach of actively scouting young players with German heritage and bringing them into the fold early to foster a sense of national identity.
"I was told that they are doing that because they want to bring all young players with their roots from Germany and after identifying them, they will camp them and by doing that, the players will know where they are coming from," Boateng explained. He criticized Ghana's lack of similar efforts, stating, "In Ghana, we don’t know how to do these things, and we keep losing players because we are not paying attention to how we can get them."
Boateng also emphasized the importance of engaging players and their families from a young age, rather than waiting until they have already begun their professional careers. "We must do a lot more, and we shouldn’t wait until they are grown up and playing before we start talking to them. By then, their parents will not even allow it because we were not there from the beginning, so why now?" he argued.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have given greenlight for the high-profile friendly game between Medeama SC and giants Asante Kotoko to mark the inauguration of the new ultra modern Tarkwa and Aboaso Stadium, which was finally completed just recently.
Abdul Hakim Sulemana has committed to a long-term contract with Danish club Randers FC, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.
His former club, Olympique Lyon, has secured a clause to receive a percentage of any future transfer fee, reflecting their confidence in Sulemana's potential and growth as a player.
Renowned for his skills and promise, Sulemana is poised to make a substantial impact at Randers FC. The move offers him a fresh platform to demonstrate his talents and advance his football career.
His brother, Kamaldeen Sulemana, is already a notable name in the football scene, and together, the Sulemana brothers are positioned to make a strong impression in European football.
This transfer is a strategic win for Abdul Hakim Sulemana, Randers FC, and Olympique Lyon. Fans are looking forward to seeing how Sulemana will perform with his new team.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo and Deputy General Secretary and Head of National Teams Department, Alex Sakyi Asante, paid a working visit to the Black Princesses camp in Cape Coast to assure the team of the unwavering support of the Ghana Football Association and Government of Ghana as they prepare for the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Kenpong Football Academy, based in Winneba and owned by Kennedy Agyepong, has appointed Norwegian technical expert Mark Hansen as their new manager.
Accra Hearts of Oak head coach Aboubakar Ouattara has candidly acknowledged that he cannot guarantee a trophy for the Phobians next season.
