Daniel Nii Adjei, a former midfielder for Asante Kotoko, has emphasized that Ghanaian soccer clubs should focus on a player's qualities and abilities rather than their age when assessing their potential.
The former Ghanaian international highlighted that many players who are overlooked due to their age often go on to achieve great success in other countries. He believes that even if a player is considered older, more attention should be given to their skills and capabilities.
Speaking to Fox Fm, Adjei recalled his experience at Asante Kotoko when he sought a new contract. He was informed that he was considered an older player and, as a result, was not offered a new deal. However, he went on to join TP Mazembe and achieved tremendous success.
Adjei also addressed the perception that Ghana lacks good coaches. He believes it is crucial to consider whether players are actively learning and taking advantage of the opportunities provided by their coaches. He emphasized the importance of players' willingness to grasp knowledge and improve themselves. Drawing from his own experience, Adjei acknowledged the impact his coaches had on his career and emphasized the significance of a learning mindset.
“At Asante Kotoko, I remember when I wanted a new contract, they told me that I am an old player now and so I was not given the new deal. But you know I went to TP Mazembe and won everything,” he told Fox Fm.
“So, it is not about the age of the player all the time. The maturity of current players in the Ghana Premier League is not enough and that is why most of them cannot perform when they leave Ghana. Some of us were very mature before we left Ghana to play elsewhere in Africa.”
“I have heard people say we don’t have good coaches in Ghana but we have to also ask ourselves whether the players are learning. A coach can train and teach you but is it up to the player to grab it or fail to learn. I personally learned a lot from my coaches and they had an impact on my career. We were learning during our time. So that is another area we have to look at”, he added.
Having won three Ghana Premier League titles with Asante Kotoko, Adjei went on to achieve further success with TP Mazembe, winning four league titles, a CAF Champions League, and a Confederation Cup.
Currently, Nii Adjei serves as the head coach for Sea Lions Football Club in the Women's Division One League.
