Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has emphasized the importance of selecting players who are active at club level or possess exceptional qualities for the Black Stars. Kingston's comments come after Ghana's disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, with the Black Stars losing their opening two matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.
Ghana's poor start to the AFCON qualifiers has left them bottom of Group C without a point, facing the possibility of missing a second consecutive AFCON tournament. Kingston, speaking to 3Sports, stressed that playing regularly at club level should be a key consideration when selecting players for the national team. He believes a senior national team player should be playing for a top 10 team in the world or be extraordinary.
Kingston also highlighted the importance of regular playing time, whether as a starter or substitute. He noted that most members of the current squad are struggling for regular opportunities at their clubs, which affects their performances with the Black Stars. Kingston compared Ghana's situation to the top four teams at the World Cup, where almost all players, even those on the bench, are active players in their clubs.
The former Ghana winger believes that a lack of regular football can become evident when players with different levels of match fitness and activity are brought together in the national team. Kingston, who is currently head coach of Uganda's Under-17 side, has also expressed interest in succeeding Carlos Queiroz as Ghana coach after the Portuguese resigned following the Black Stars' poor start to the AFCON qualifiers.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, has established a five-member technical search committee to lead the process of appointing a new head coach. The committee is expected to submit its report to the Sports Ministry on Friday, 9 October. Kingston's comments have sparked debate about the selection process for the Black Stars.
Ghana missed the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and are now at risk of missing the tournament again. The Black Stars are scheduled to return to action next month when they face Somalia in a double-header at the Accra Sports Stadium. Kingston's views on player selection have been echoed by some football pundits, who believe that using local players could be a solution to the team's problems.
The GFA and Ministry of Sports are working to appoint a new head coach, with Kingston emerging as a potential candidate. The team's performance in the upcoming matches against Somalia will be crucial in determining the team's prospects for the 2027 AFCON.
Key points
- Kingston wants Black Stars players to be active at club level or possess exceptional qualities.
- Ghana risks missing the 2027 AFCON due to poor performance in qualifiers.
- The GFA and Ministry of Sports are working to appoint a new head coach.
