Kwadwo Asamoah blames drop in GPL quality for fewer home-based players in Black Stars

Former Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has attributed the declining number of local players in the Black Stars to a drop in the standards of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Speaking to Citi Sports, the former Juventus star noted that earning a national team call-up during his era was more straightforward because the domestic league was highly competitive.

He suggested that today’s local players struggle to break into the squad because the league no longer prepares them adequately for the international stage.

“Back then, making the Black Stars wasn’t difficult if you gave your best; the Ghana Premier League was very competitive,” Asamoah stated. “Today, fewer local players get call-ups due to lower standards.”

Asamoah’s comments come amid an intensifying debate over whether the Ghana Football Association (GFA) should implement a mandatory squad quota for GPL players ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Proponents of the quota argue that including local talent ensures domestic clubs benefit from the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, providing much-needed financial relief.

However, the GFA has resisted these calls, maintaining that selection remains strictly based on merit. Asamoah’s stance aligns with this merit-based approach, emphasizing that the focus should be on restoring the league's quality rather than enforcing slots.