Former Ghanaian midfielder Derek Boateng has accused Spain of interfering to prevent the Black Stars from signing players like Nico Williams, accusing the Ghana Football Association (GFA) of losing out on important European-born talent.
Derek Boateng voiced his dissatisfaction at Ghana’s failure to draw players like Kobbie Mainoo, Jeremy Doku, Jeremie Frimpong, and Nico Williams in an interview with Accra-based Kingdom FM. He regretted that the GFA had not pursued these skills sooner.
“How can we lose players like Kobbie Mainoo, Jeremy Doku, Jeremie Frimpong, and Nico Williams?” Boateng asked, as reported by Ghanaweb. “Inaki Williams is playing for us, but why couldn’t we get Nico? Because he is good and talented, Spain blocked his chances of playing for Ghana.”
Boateng emphasized the significance of taking the initiative to initiate early contact with players living in Europe. He cautioned against waiting until they were well-established athletes because, in the event that Ghana was not participating from the beginning, their parents might not be amenable to a change in allegiance.
The 41-year-old advocated for a more calculated approach to developing young talent. He had a stellar international career with Ghana from 2001 to 2013, playing a significant part in the Black Satellites’ runner-up result at the 2001 U-20 FIFA World Cup.
Nico Williams, a standout performer for Spain, was a major factor in La Roja’s victory at the 2024 European Championship. His accomplishment serves as a reminder of the possibilities Ghana lost up on to gain from such up-and-coming talent.
