Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has stressed that locally based players must prove themselves through performance if they are to earn invitations to the senior national team.
With debate growing over the possibility of introducing a quota system for home-based players ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Gyan has taken a firm stance that selection should be strictly merit-based.
Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV, the former striker argued that only players capable of competing at the highest international level deserve a place in the Black Stars.
According to Gyan, who remains Ghana’s all-time top scorer, previous generations of locally based players earned their spots because they consistently proved they could match up against elite opposition.
“For me, it comes back to what I said before, like the generational thing. When you talk about our time, you could see local players who can compete,” Gyan told Channel One TV.
“I’m not saying this generation cannot compete, but they have to show us something.”
He cited his own career trajectory as an example, recalling how he broke into the national team as a home-based player and displaced foreign-based professionals through strong performances.
“When I came, I was a local player. I came to substitute a foreign-based player; I was able to deliver,” he stated.
Gyan also referenced a period when the Ghana Premier League supplied a large portion of the national team squad, including instances where an entire Hearts of Oak lineup represented Ghana in high-profile matches, such as a clash against Nigeria featuring stars like Jay-Jay Okocha.
“Ghana had to use Hearts of Oak, the whole squad, to compete against Nigeria, who had Jay-Jay Okocha and the others at that high level,” he said.
“You could see players competing. So when you are campaigning about local players, nobody can talk about it.”
However, he questioned whether the current crop of local players is doing enough to convince national team selectors.
“It’s like we are playing in the local league, everything is okay, but can you compete internationally?” he asked.
He added that Black Stars coaches, particularly foreign appointees, are under constant pressure to deliver results and will naturally prioritise players they believe can perform on the international stage.
“When we talk about the Black Stars, it’s about international football. We don’t compete against local teams; we compete against international teams,” he said.
“So if you’re a local player and you cannot compete internationally, how do you expect to be part of the Black Stars?”
Meanwhile, six locally based players have been included in the Black Stars squad for the upcoming friendly against Mexico on May 22, as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
