Former Ghana defender Dan Quaye has expressed his apprehensions regarding the notable absence of local players from esteemed clubs like Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in the national team.
After the announcement of Chris Hughton as the Black Stars’ new head coach in March, they were no local players named in the 25-man squad invited for his first assignment which raised concerns among Ghanaian football fans.
The gaffer admitted he had less knowledge about the players and promised to spend more time to know them to inspire future call-ups.
However, Dan Quaye who played for both the national team and some top clubs like Hearts of Oak believes the required quality demanded in the national team is just not available in the local teams including top clubs like Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko who won the two previous editions of the Ghana Premier League.
According to him, there’s been a big drop in pedigree among these clubs as compared to the past.
“The two top clubs [Hearts and Kotoko] have disappointed Ghanaians and their supporters. When things are not going on well it will affect the nation.
“There are lots of players from Hearts and Kotoko who played for the national team in the past but the current local players are not proven.
“It is very sad. We’ve been fighting to get at least three or four players to be on the national team but they are not helping themselves. I don’t know what is wrong with them,” he told Ghanasportspage.
Dan Quaye won the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup with the Phobians in 2000 and 2004 respectively.
He was also part of the Black Stars squad in Ghana’s maiden appearance at the World Cup in 2006.
