Former Ghana defender Sam Johnson has suggested that local players should be prioritized for the Black Stars’ final matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
The Black Stars are set to conclude their qualifiers with an away match against Angola’s Palancas Negras in Luanda, followed by a home game against Niger’s Super Eagles at the Accra Sports Stadium.
With Ghana’s qualification hanging by a thread, Johnson, who formerly played for Hearts of Oak and Fenerbahçe, believes this is an ideal opportunity to test home-based players. He argued that fielding local talent in these high-stakes matches could provide them valuable exposure to top-level African competition, potentially building their confidence for future tournaments.
“I really want the local guys to go and play in these last AFCON matches,” Johnson told Graphic Sports. “We could bring in local players and add a few foreign-based ones to give them exposure. It will help build their confidence and morale.”
However, Johnson expressed reservations about the current talent in Ghana’s domestic league. He noted the challenges in selecting players due to the league’s declining quality. “The question is, which of these players would you invite? Based on what I’ve seen, I’m not confident. Our league’s standard is low, and you can’t call up these players if we want to avoid heavy losses,” he remarked.
Johnson also voiced concern over the diminishing popularity of the local league, attributing low attendance to a lack of high-quality performances. Even clubs with strong fan bases, like Hearts of Oak, are struggling to attract crowds, he observed. “With the local league, people aren’t motivated to watch. Even Hearts of Oak supporters aren’t attending matches. When was the last time you saw the Accra Sports Stadium full, apart from Black Stars games?” Johnson asked.
As Ghana waits for Sudan’s final results to keep their qualification hopes alive, national team coach Otto Addo is expected to announce the squad later this week. Ghana currently sits in third place in Group F with just two points from four games, trailing both Angola and Sudan.
