Grant tells local players to shun cheap foreign deals

Ghana coach Avram Grant has called on players in the domestic league to desist from moving to less recognized leagues abroad.

The former Chelsea manager has been criticised for “overlooking” local players in his call-ups for international assignments.

In his 22-man squad for the recent international friendly matches against Senegal and Mali in France only Ashanti Gold goalkeeper Fatau Dauda was invited.

And since Avram took over from coach Kwasi Appiah in December 2014, only two local players, Stephen Adams of Aduana Stars and Fatau Dauda, have made his squad for any assignment.

The 60-year-old has however warded off the bad press about his perceived disinterest in the domestic league, advising players to develop their potential before leaving for a better deal abroad.

“If I can give them advice, sometimes it’s better to stay in the league in Ghana for one or two more years to develop before going to Europe,” Grant told Ghana FA in an interview on Wednesday.

“Because in football, if you are good it doesn’t matter where you play everything will go on well with you.

“Some of the players just want to move out but it is also good to take your time and move to a better place,” he said.

Following a relatively lower remuneration in the Ghana Premier league, a number of players travel to seek greener pastures in less competitive leagues aboard.