No Shortcut to Success: Fix the Local League Before Calling Local Players to the Black Stars – Andy Kerm
Sports journalist Andy Kerm argues that the key to rebuilding the Black Stars lies in reviving Ghana’s struggling local league, not relying on quick fixes or emotional decisions
- Andy Kerm stresses the need to rebuild the local league as the foundation for Black Stars' success
- Nations like South Africa and Egypt thrive due to strong local leagues
- Ghana has failed to qualify for the AFCON for the first time in 20 years
Sports journalist Andy Kerm has weighed in on calls for local players to feature in the Black Stars, following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, a first in 20 years.
The Black Stars were eliminated after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Angola, leaving them with just three points from five matches. The team faces Niger in Accra today, November 17, 2024, for their final qualifier.
Speaking on the Ghana ‘Se Sen’ Morning Show with Kwame Tanko on Lawson TV and Radio, Andy Kerm expressed a mixed stance. While he acknowledged the importance of giving local players opportunities, he emphasized that the local league must be strengthened first.
“The call for local players is valid, but we need to build a strong local league and develop players capable of thriving in the Black Stars. There’s no teamwork or cohesion in the current team, and we can’t rely on emotions to field local players without proper preparation.”
Andy Kerm pointed out that the success of the Black Stars in the past heavily relied on a robust local league, which no longer exists.
Drawing comparisons, he highlighted how nations like South Africa and Egypt have achieved success by investing in their local leagues.
He also noted that Ghana’s decline in football performance can be traced back to the 2015 AFCON final loss to Côte d’Ivoire, marking the beginning of the Black Stars’ challenges on the continental stage.
