As Ghana prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director, Ibrahim Sannie Daara, has urged the Black Stars to prioritise commitment and loyalty when selecting players, especially dual nationals such as Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Speaking on Joy Sports, Sannie Daara stressed that wearing the national shirt must go beyond convenience or tournament ambitions.
“We must select our best available players, but they must first pass the commitment test. People should not take us for granted,” he warned.
“Just because you want to play at the World Cup, you cannot choose Ghana and later pick and choose which matches you want to play in.”
He referenced past experiences with players who only showed up for major tournaments but avoided the qualifiers, insisting that the national team should only welcome individuals ready to contribute fully throughout the journey.
Sannie Daara also reflected on his own role in convincing Kevin-Prince Boateng to represent Ghana, but admitted the lessons learned from that era must shape future decisions.
“I personally advocated for Kevin-Prince Boateng to play for the Black Stars. Do you realise he never played in the AFCON qualifiers? For that reason, I believe we must demand pride and love from anyone who wishes to represent Ghana.”
His comments come after Ghana secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with growing public debate over whether players born abroad who recently switched allegiance should walk straight into the squad.
With expectations high and competition for places intense, the former GFA official insists that the jersey must be earned, not handed out.
The Ghana FA has yet to issue a response, but Sannie Daara’s remarks have reignited national conversation about loyalty, fairness, and the identity of the Black Stars ahead of football’s biggest stage.
