Former Black Stars defender Sam Johnson has strongly criticized Ghanaian players who express concerns about injuries and a lack of support when representing the national team.
His comments follow Ghana’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 21 years, a disappointment that has sparked widespread debate about the commitment of the current squad.
Speaking on the issue, Johnson accused the players of not giving their best when playing for the Black Stars.
“For me personally, I know what they can do, but they don’t do it. They don’t show it to us when they come here,” he stated.
He was particularly frustrated by complaints regarding injury risks, dismissing them as unacceptable for professional footballers.
“What kills me is when players say, ‘If I get injured, who will take care of me?’ Excuse me, but that is nonsense. This is your job, and this is what you chose to do,” he said.
Johnson urged players to take full responsibility for their decisions regarding national team duty.
“You either do it or you leave it. If you believe you will get injured and Ghana won’t take care of you, then resign from the national team or don’t come at all,” he added.
The Black Stars will return to action later this month as they prepare to face Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Ghana will host Chad in Accra on March 21 before traveling to Morocco to play Madagascar on March 24, 2025.
