In the bustling world of Ghanaian football, where passion runs deep and expectations soar high, the inclusion of three home-based players in the latest Black Stars squad to face Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has sparked murmurs of debate.
Ghana coach named Hearts of Oak’s shot stopper, Benjamin Asare, Nations FC’s defender, Razak Simpson and Medeama’s knight-back Kamaradini Mamudu in his 23-man squad last Friday for the upcoming games.
For Mohammed Polo, a revered figure in Ghana’s footballing history and a former international star, the announcement felt more like a ceremonial nod than a genuine opportunity.
Speaking candidly on Radio Gold, Polo didn’t mince words: “I don’t have anything to say; it’s just a formality. These boys are not going to feature.”
The weight of his statement hung in the air, a reflection of his skepticism about the current state of coaching and player development in the national setup. Polo, known for his flair on the pitch during his playing days with Hearts of Oak and the Black Stars, has seen the game evolve—and, in some ways, stagnate.
His concern wasn’t with the talent of the home-based trio—players who have clawed their way up through the gritty pitches of the Ghana Premier League—but with the likelihood of them being given a fair shot to shine on the international stage.
“A coach worth his salt will feature them,” Polo continued, his tone shifting from resignation to a subtle challenge. He believes in the potential of these players, forged in the crucible of local football, where resilience and character often outweigh polished technique.
To him, it’s not just about their inclusion in the squad list; it’s about trust, opportunity, and the courage to let them prove their mettle. But Polo’s faith in the current coaching regime seems thin, overshadowed by what he perceives as a lack of vision.
The “Dribbling Magician” as he has been affectionately called harkened back to a different era, one where Ghanaian coaches—some without illustrious playing careers of their own—took risks on local talent. “We have coaches who are Ghanaians and did not even play football, but they crafted the local players and gave them a chance at a point in time to showcase what they have,” he said.
These were men who understood the heartbeat of the domestic game, who saw raw potential and sculpted it into something extraordinary. Polo reminisced about how such coaches instilled confidence in their players, preparing them not just technically but mentally—building the character needed to compete with the world’s best.
The three players in question in Polo’s critique, represent a broader narrative in Ghanaian football: the struggle for homegrown talent to break into a national team increasingly dominated by foreign-based stars.
The Black Stars have long been a source of pride, with legends like Abedi Pele, Stephen Appiah, and Asamoah Gyan carrying the flag across continents. Yet, the domestic league, once a fertile ground for unearthing gems, has seen its influence wane. For Polo, this isn’t just a matter of squad selection—it’s a question of identity and legacy.
The Black Stars, after all, are at a crossroads, with recent performances drawing scrutiny and calls for renewal growing louder.
As the team prepares for its upcoming games against Chad this Friday, March 21 and Madagascar four days later, the spotlight lingers on those three names tucked quietly into the squad list.
Will they remain mere formalities, as Polo predicts, warming the bench while their Europe-based counterparts take center stage? Or will a coach—perhaps one bold enough to heed Polo’s call—see in them the spark of something greater? For now, the answer lies in wait, buried beneath tactics, egos, and the unrelenting demands of a football-mad nation.
