Debate over Black Stars call-ups has long been one of the most contentious issues in Ghanaian football, with every squad announcement reigniting discussions about who deserves a place in the national team.
Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston believes he has the answer, advocating for a selection policy based on merit, consistency, and performances at the highest level.
The former winger, now head coach of Uganda's U-17 national team, says Ghana must prioritise players who compete regularly in the world's top leagues if the Black Stars are to become a more competitive and settled side.
Speaking in an interview with 3Sports, Kingston said the standard of a player's club football should be one of the primary considerations for any national team coach.
"If I were the Black Stars coach, I'd look at several factors before selecting players. First, which league are they playing in?
Ideally, our national team players should be competing in the top ten leagues. If they aren't, then they must be exceptional," Kingston said.
The former Hearts of Oak midfielder also stressed that consistent playing time should be a key requirement.
"Secondly, are they playing regularly? Not just making the squad, but getting minutes every week. That's how you build a strong national team."
Kingston argued that while Ghana already has a core of experienced internationals, constant changes to the squad have prevented the Black Stars from establishing a clear identity.
"We already have players who have spent more than five years with the Black Stars, so we have experienced players. But I don't think we have a settled team. It looks like the players who play in the qualifiers are replaced by new faces before tournaments. That's not how you build a team," he said.
He urged future Black Stars coaches to maintain continuity rather than making wholesale changes.
"Coaches must be firm and build around a consistent group of players," Kingston added.
Kingston's comments come as debate continues over the Black Stars' long-term direction and how Ghana can build a squad capable of consistently competing with Africa's and the world's elite.
