Former defender Sam Johnson has criticized certain players on the Black Stars for exhibiting complacency following the team’s disappointing performances in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The senior national team has faced scrutiny after a 1-0 home defeat to Angola and a 1-1 draw against Niger.
With hopes of bouncing back, the Black Stars entered a doubleheader against Sudan but struggled to capitalize on their chances.
Despite creating several opportunities in the first leg at Accra Sports Stadium, the match ended in a frustrating goalless draw.
In the return leg held in Libya, the Black Stars faced another setback, losing 2-0, which has cast doubt on their chances of qualifying for the tournament.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Johnson expressed concerns about the selection criteria for the national team.
He highlighted a lack of competitive pressure from local players, suggesting that this has led some Black Stars players to become too comfortable in their positions.
“We need to ask, what criteria do we use to select players?” Johnson stated. “Some of them don’t feel any pressure because there’s no competition from local players. When there’s no threat to their positions, they become complacent,” the former Fenerbahçe defender said.
Johnson, who also has experience as a coach and played for Hearts of Oak, emphasized the importance of strengthening the local football system to develop players who can effectively compete for spots on the national team.
“We must build a strong local side that gives national team players tough competition. When they know their place is at risk, they’ll raise their performance,” he added.
Ghana’s qualifiers will conclude next month with matches against already-qualified Angola in Luanda and bottom-placed Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars’ prospects of participating in AFCON hinge on Sudan losing their upcoming matches, alongside their own victories against the Palancas Negras and the Super Eagles.