Bechem United head coach, Kwaku Danso, has expressed concerns regarding the readiness and fitness of local players to represent the Black Stars, stressing that they must prove their worth through performance and competition for playing time before being included in the national team.

In an insightful interview on Akoma 87.9 FM, Danso voiced frustration with the common practice of calling up local players to the Black Stars, only to have them sidelined with limited or no playing time.

He emphasized that selections should be based on merit, and that local players should earn their spot through solid performances, not just for representation.

"There's often advocacy for local players to be included in the Black Stars, but my main concern is that they are called up and then not given the chance to play," Danso explained.

"Local players should be selected on merit, with the opportunity to earn their place through competition for playing time."

While recognizing that all Ghanaian players are eligible for selection, Danso pointed out that many local players still fall short of the required standards for international competition.

He likened them to players in leagues in countries like Jordan and Cyprus, who are often overlooked for similar reasons.

"As long as they are Ghanaians, they are eligible to play, but much like players in Jordan, Cyprus, and other leagues, they are not selected because they don’t meet the required standard," he said.

Danso also made it clear that, based on his observations from the ongoing league season, many local players still need to improve to reach the level required to compete internationally.

"I haven't played against every team in the league yet, but from the nine games we've played so far, these local players are not yet at the level needed.

They must improve if they want to be considered for the Black Stars," he added.

Danso’s remarks underscore the need for local players to step up their performance and meet the high standards required for international football.

With Ghana's qualification campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in full swing, national team coach Otto Addo is expected to announce his squad soon.

Currently, the Black Stars sit in third place in Group F with only two points from four matches, trailing Angola and Sudan, making the upcoming selections even more critical.