Mass Ghana Call-up Rejection: ‘Has the Black Stars team become unattractive’?

Ghana has faced a mass call-up rejection in recent times which brings the question of if the Black Stars has suddenly become unattractive to players of Ghanaian descent to represent the four-time AFCON champions.

Sportsworldghana.com has taken it upon itself to ask Ghanaians what they think about the present situation of the Black Stars if indeed it has become unattractive to don the Ghana jersey.

In recent years under coach CK Akonnor, Belgium-based players Jeremy Doku and Francis Amuzu rejected Ghana in favour of the Red Devils with Doku playing at the EUROS for the Belgium senior national team.

Though Amuzu is yet to get his chances of playing for the Brlgi national team, but the youngster has turned down the chance to play for the West African giants and a force in African soccer.

With these rejecting Ghana, one would have thought it would be the end of such happenings with the FA doing their best to get the best Ghanaian players abroad to put on the famous Ghana jersey but that is certainly not the case.

Recently, Ghana’s attempt to get players born or raised outside of the country has proved unsuccessful with majority of the players turning their backs on the country.

Let take a look at the recent Black Stars call-up rejection by some players plying their trade abroad:

Mohammed Salisu – Southampton FC

The Ghanaian center-back playing in the English Premier League for Southampton FC has rejected Black Stars call-up not once but on countless occasions giving excuses such as not being ready for national team football. The 22-year-old played and excelled in the Spanish La Liga for Real Valladolid leading to his move to the St Mary’s side. With his commanding display at the back, Salisu has gradually become a very important figure at the Saints this season in the Premier League.

Tariq Lamptey – Brighton and Hove Albion

Tariq Lamptey, a typical Ghanaian name, one would expect the youngster to be playing for the three-time FIFA World Cup participants and the best performed African country at the 2010 edition in South Africa but that seemed to be not happening at least for any time soon. Lamptey is a regular starter in the Albion team and could have ended Ghana’s right-back woes but the young and talented player looks like won’t be making a decision to play for his native country. He’s been touted for greatness due to his abilities and vision of the game and could take Ghana to the next level.

Kamal Sowah – Club Brugge

The former Leicester City player who came to the lamplight after joining Belgium Jupiler Pro League side Oud-Haverlee Leuven during the 2020-21 season has also rejected Black Stars call-up as he looks unprepared to play for Ghana at the senior level. According to information available to us, the youngster was painfully dropped from Ghana’s U17 team in 2017 and the player has decided to not Don the Black Stars jersey hence rejecting call-ups to play for Ghana at the next AFCON in Cameroon and also in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Currently, the Ghanaian forward plays for Belgium giant Club Brugge and was a delight to watch throughout the team’s campaign in the UEFA Champions League. Sowah could’ve been a pivot and important addition to the Ghana squad and it is very sad losing such a player in trying times.

Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen

Ghanaian-born Dutch Jeremie Frimpong is available to play for Ghana despite representing the Netherlands at the youth level but it seems impossible to land the Bundesliga player who sees himself as a Dutch due to the fact that he grew up there and has stated that he’s not ready to play for Ghana because he doesn’t see himself as a Ghanaian but rather sees himself as a Dutch. Frimpong’s ability makes him one of the fastest-growing right-backs in the world of football today and could’ve solved Ghana’s long-standing right-back problems.

Jamie Leweling – SpVgg Greuther Fürth

The 20-year-old Ghanaian prodigy born in Nürnberg, Deutschland (Germany) was invited by CK Akonnor but the Bundesliga player turned down the call-up. He has scored three goals and provided one assist in 17 Bundesliga games for the Green and Whites.

Latest Player to reject a Black Stars call-up.

Felix Ohene Afena-Gyan – AS Roma

The AS Roma teenage sensation Felix Ohene Afena-Gyan has rejected Black Stars call-up for the upcoming AFCON in Cameroon stating that he would love to focus on his development at the hands of Jose Mourinho than to come to play for Ghana anytime soon till he’s ready. Afena-Gyan scored six goals in five games for Roma’s U19 team in the Italian Primavera before his promotion to the senior team.

He’s scored two goals in five games in the ongoing 2021-22 Italy Serie A for Roma. The 18-year-old versatile forward rejected Ghana’s call-up for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa respectively in November. He has also decided not to play for Ghana at the next AFCON in Cameroon next month which comes to many as not a big surprise after he turned Ghana down last month.

With all these players rejecting Ghana call-up to represent the country, could it be the case of the Black Stars becoming very unpopular and unattractive to attract good players to represent the country? You’re the best judge.