The former ‘goal getter’ believes the country has given preference enough to players plying their trade in Europe and it is now time for locals
Former Asante Kotoko striker Eric Kwabena Bekoe has insisted that Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac should give chances to players in the local league.
According to Bekoe, who now works as the head coach of third-tier side Montreal FC, a lot of the local strikers have the potential to help Ghana secure a place in the 2022 Fifa World Cup as well as win 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which will be played next year in Cameroon.
With Ghana’s all-time top scorer Asamoah Gyan in the twilight of his career, several strikers who are mainly playing in Europe have been given the opportunity to fill the void but none has proven to be the right choice.
“Ghana need goals to be able to qualify for the World Cup now that we are in the playoffs and waiting for the draw. Therefore, I will urge the coach to give the strikers playing in Ghana Premier League a chance,” Bekoe told Wontumi FM, as quoted by AshesGyamera.com.
“These players in our league are equally good and some are even better as compared to other players we have seen wearing the national colours. If the strikers in our local league can do the job for us to qualify, I think Milovan Rajevac should give them the chance.
“We shouldn’t always rely on players who are plying their trade in Europe or elsewhere because the fact that someone is Europe doesn’t entirely mean he is better than a player in Ghana Premier League. Sometimes, it is about luck and the opportunity one has gotten,” he added.
Ghana topped Group G of the qualifiers and will face one of the top five ranked countries on the continent in the playoffs next year.
It is possible that the Black Stars may either face Senegal, Mali, Morocco, Tunisia or Nigeria.