Former Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien has called for earlier identification and engagement of dual-nationality players, stressing that Ghana must act fast to secure emerging talent eligible to represent the country.
The Chelsea great was part of a team put together by the Ghana Football Association and the Coach Hene Club to speak to Ghanaian talents born in the UK as part of a new drive to integrate players born abroad into the Ghanaian system.
Speaking at the Ghana High Commission in London, Essien said the growing competition for diaspora footballers demands a proactive approach focused on building strong connections while players are still developing.
He argued that late attempts to convince eligible players often come too late in a landscape where several nations are competing for the same prospects.
“Representing your country is a huge honour. We just have to get them young if we can and look after them so they can represent their roots,” he said.
His comments come amid continued debate over nationality switches, with Ghana missing out on several foreign-born players who opted to represent European countries instead.
