Ghana football legend Stephen Appiah has urged for the inclusion of standout players from the Ghana Premier League and other local competitions in the Black Stars lineup.
During his appearance before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Appiah expressed his confusion over why the league's top scorer and best player has not received a national team call-up.
He emphasized that for local players, being part of the national team is a dream, and being overlooked due to their domestic status can take a psychological toll on them.
“The Ghana Premier League top scorer should be in the Black Stars. The players perform, and when they are neglected, it leads to depression because the ultimate aim of every local player is to perform and get a chance in the Black Stars,” Appiah stated.
He called for equal opportunities, asserting that players should not be at a disadvantage simply because they play in Ghana. "If we continue this process, no good player will be willing to stay and play in the Ghana Premier League,” he warned.
Appiah, who captained the Black Stars to Ghana's first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2006, believes that recognizing local talent is essential for the future of Ghanaian football.
