Former Nsoatreman FC General Manager, Eric Alagidede, has attributed Ghana’s quarter-final exit at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to head coach Desmond Ofei’s preference for foreign-based players.
The Black Satellites were eliminated by hosts Egypt on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, extending Ghana’s absence from the U-20 World Cup since 2015.
Ofei named a 24-man squad for the tournament, with over half of the players based abroad – a decision Alagidede believes cost the team.
“You [Ofei] are the head coach and preferred foreign-based players, and you were allowed to get them, so when you don’t qualify, you obviously have to take the blame,” Alagidede told Asempa FM.
“Ghana has never had a squad dominated by foreign-based players for an Afcon competition. So if you send 14 foreign-based players, what are you telling us?” he added.
The defeat in Egypt marked another setback for the Black Satellites, who have struggled to replicate their past successes on the continental stage.
