Ghanaian dancehall artist Livingstone Etse Satekla, popularly known as Stonebwoy, has called for the inclusion of local players in the Black Stars to rejuvenate the team after their recent poor performance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Black Stars’ decline was marked by finishing bottom of Group F, failing to secure a single win in six matches. Angola and Sudan advanced, leaving Ghana’s football reputation under scrutiny.
Speaking to the media, Stonebwoy emphasized the importance of grassroots development and local talent integration in restoring the team’s glory: “It is very important to have local players as part of the building of the national team. The little I understand is that these teams need to be built from the grassroots, and local inclusion is key. We cannot just rely on players called from outside.”
Stonebwoy highlighted the Ghana Premier League as a crucial talent pool that must be leveraged: “If we cannot fish into the Black Stars from the Ghana Premier League, then what is the use of the Ghana Premier League? It’s very important to include players from Ghana.”
The artist’s remarks resonate with many football enthusiasts who feel that over-reliance on foreign-based players has stifled opportunities for homegrown talent to shine.
In a positive development, five home-based players were recently called up for the AFCON qualifiers against Angola and Niger, signaling a potential shift towards incorporating local talent into the national squad. This inclusion could lay the foundation for a system that nurtures and integrates Ghana’s domestic players, aligning with Stonebwoy’s vision for a more balanced team-building strategy.
The conversation around the Black Stars’ future continues as stakeholders consider how to restore the team to its former heights while ensuring sustainable talent development.
