We are the second choice - Sammy Kuffour urges Ghana to step up fight for diaspora talent

Former Black Stars defender Samuel Osei Kuffour has urged Ghana to adopt a more proactive and early approach in securing the commitment of dual-nationality players as debate continues over international recruitment.

His remarks come amid renewed discussions on player eligibility and national allegiance, with Ghana intensifying efforts to track and engage diaspora talents ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The issue has gained urgency in recent years, as several players of Ghanaian descent have opted to represent European nations instead.

Speaking in an interview with 3Sports, the ex-Bayern Munich centre-back acknowledged the competitive disadvantage Ghana faces in attracting top talents born or raised abroad.

“If your son is Jude Bellingham, both parents from Ghana, will you allow Jude Bellingham to play for Ghana or England? Whether we like it or not, we are the second choice," Kuffour said.

The former international, who earned 54 caps for Ghana, stressed that timing is critical if the country hopes to benefit from its global talent pool.

“If Doku, Jeremie Frimpong, and all those players... If we had got them young, all of them would play for Ghana. Let’s get them young. That’s why I’m using the office in Europe,” he explained.

Players such as Jeremy Doku, who represents Belgium, and Jeremie Frimpong of the Netherlands, both eligible for Ghana through heritage, have already committed their international futures to European nations, underscoring the increasingly competitive landscape for dual-national recruitment.