Former Ghana Premier League star Charles Taylor made a bold statement, asserting that Kumasi Asante Kotoko, one of Ghana’s most celebrated football clubs, holds a greater influence than the national team, the Black Stars. Taylor’s comments have sparked discussions among fans and analysts, questioning the dynamics between club and national football in Ghana.
According to Taylor, Asante Kotoko’s players are more active and prepared because they compete almost every weekend in league matches, unlike the Black Stars, who play only during scheduled international breaks. This, he argues, keeps Kotoko players in peak physical condition and enables them to perform at a higher level consistently. “Kotoko players are fitter and better than the Black Stars players,” Taylor claimed, emphasizing that frequent game time has a notable impact on player fitness.
Taylor also argued that Ghana’s national team could benefit from including more locally-based players, particularly from the Ghana Premier League, to enhance team competitiveness. He highlighted Justice Blay, a standout player from Asante Kotoko, as an example of local talent capable of making an impact on the national team. In his view, if a player is good enough for a high-caliber club like Kotoko, they should be considered for the Black Stars. He added, “If we give local players the chance, they will deliver for the country.”
Despite Ghana’s recent struggles in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament for home-based players, Taylor believes there is sufficient talent within Ghana’s domestic league. According to him, greater competition and the inclusion of these skilled players could inspire foreign-based players to elevate their game for the national team.
Taylor’s assertion challenges the traditional approach of prioritizing foreign-based players in the Black Stars lineup and has ignited debate on whether Ghana should reevaluate its reliance on international players.
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