Two-times FIFA World Cup participant, Derek Boateng is urging for two English-born Ghanaians Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah not to be invited into Ghana’s final squad to 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
According to the former Ghana international the duo has nothing to offer the Black Stars and are not the missing pieces for Ghana’s World Cup. Many are off the view, that both players who got snubbed by the Three Lions of England despite passing through their youth rank, should be invited for the world cup, with the augment of strengthening Coach Otto Addo’s squad for the Mundial.
However, Derek Boateng, a defensive midfielder during his playing days believes the Black Stars is not a place for players to come and try their luck when they realise they can not play for England or other European countries, revealing they have nothing to bring on board.
“To be honest, I don’t think they will add anything significant to the team right now. We need to be very careful. The Black Stars is not a place for players to come and ‘try their luck’ when they realise they can’t play for England or other European countries”
“Football is not just about talent on paper; it’s about the heart. When we were playing, we gave everything for the jersey. You can’t wait until you are 24 or 25, after you’ve been rejected elsewhere, and then decide you are Ghanaian”, Derek told Sporty FM.
He added; “If you want to play for Ghana, you should be proud to do it from the start. Bringing them in now can even destroy the team chemistry because the players who fought through the qualifiers will feel disrespected”.
Derek Boateng who’s football life span lasted over 16 years, won 47 caps for the Black stars and represented at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.