“Politics Over Merit? Assafuah Questions Fairness in Black Stars Call-Ups”

Vincent Assafuah Raises Concerns Over Black Stars Call-Up Selections

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Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has expressed his concerns regarding the selection process for the Black Stars, following the late inclusion of midfielder Kwasi Sibo into the national team set-up.

According to Mr Assafuah, Sibo’s belated call-up is a clear indication that there are many equally talented Ghanaian footballers who are consistently overlooked. He argued that some players miss out on representing the country not because of a lack of ability, but rather due to not being “in the books” or lacking the right management connections.

“Kwasi Sibo’s late call-up tells me that there are equally excellent footballers who don’t get called up simply because they are not in the books or are not managed by certain people,” Assafuah lamented.

The Old Tafo legislator’s comments come amid ongoing public debate about fairness and transparency in the selection of players for the Black Stars. Many football fans have long expressed similar frustrations, accusing the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the technical handlers of favouritism and bias in call-ups.

Kwasi Sibo, who plies his trade in Europe, has been widely praised for his work ethic, resilience, and technical abilities. However, his late inclusion in the national set-up has sparked discussions about how many other players of his calibre might be left in the shadows due to the politics of football administration.

Mr Assafuah further stressed the need for a merit-based system that ensures all deserving Ghanaian players, regardless of their affiliations or management, are given a fair chance to represent the nation.

His remarks are likely to intensify calls for greater accountability and reforms within the GFA’s player selection process, as Ghana prepares for crucial international fixtures.

Author

  • My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

    I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

    Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

    Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

    I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

    For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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