‘Ghana must go for foreign-born players’

The German-born former international defender says local officials must change their attitude in order to snaffle players of Ghanaian heritage

Former Black Stars defender Tony Baffoe says Ghanaian officials must involve retired players in the quest to convince foreign-born youngsters to switch allegiance.

Kevin-Prince Boateng, Adam Kwarasey, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Jeffery Schlupp and Emmanuel Frimpong, all of whom are born overseas, have committed their future to the Ghana national team.

However, the FA missed the boat on other players of Ghanaian heritage such as Danny Welbeck, Jerome Boateng, Mario Balotelli, David Odonkor, Gerald Asamoah and Marcel Desailly, all of whom went on to represent other national teams.

“I think that it’s important we appoint global ambassadors,” Baffoe, who himself switched allegiance to play for Ghana after being born in Germany, told Focus FM.

“We have the Matthew Amoahs, the Eric Addos, Otto Addos, the Hans Sarpeis, the Sebastian Barnes.

“I think we must tap into their experience and maybe we could have got the likes of Memphis Depays, the Balotellis and other players who were born abroad much earlier.

“I was involved back in the days with Sarpei and Otto Addo coming to play, and also with Kevin-Prince Boateng.

“I think it’s just natural that you suggest talents to your dear nations and that’s where ex-players can play a very good role in unearthing talents abroad.”

Goal can confirm that officials of the Ghana Football Association are currently going after Athletic Bilbao and Spain U-21 forward Inaki Williams, as well as 20-year-old Leicester City and England youth attacker Joe Dodoo to commit to the Black Stars, with both having caught the eye in recent months.