Former Black Stars captain André Ayew has called on African countries to recruit players from the diaspora at a younger age, arguing that early integration can help them better understand the culture and demands of representing their countries.
Ayew made the comments during his appearance on the Obi One Podcast hosted by former Nigeria and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.
The Ghanaian forward said African national teams could benefit from players born or raised outside the continent, but believes they should ideally be brought into the national team setup while they are still teenagers.
According to Ayew, introducing such players at a younger age would give them enough time to understand the culture of the country they represent and develop a stronger connection with supporters.
He also stressed that young players would have a better opportunity to understand the pressure that comes with playing for an African national team before reaching senior level.
Ayew acknowledged that older diaspora players can still make valuable contributions to national teams. However, he said his preference would be to bring players into the system earlier rather than waiting until they are established professionals.
The issue of diaspora players has become increasingly important for African football, with several national teams relying on players who were born or developed in Europe and other parts of the world.
Ayew himself provides an example of this pathway. Born in France to Ghanaian parents, he chose to represent Ghana and went on to become one of the country’s most experienced players. He helped Ghana win the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup and later became a key figure for the senior Black Stars.
The discussion comes as Ayew continues to be involved in conversations about the future of Ghanaian and African football. Mikel Obi recently described him as a potential figure capable of contributing to positive changes in Ghana football if he eventually moves into football administration.
