In the third episode of The Black Stars Podcast, we examine how diaspora players impact Ghana's football ambitions and the broader issues of identity, preparation and infrastructure that influence their decisions.
In Episode 3 of the Black Stars Podcast, "The Struggle for Africa", the focus is on the complex relationship between Ghana's national football team and its diaspora players.
The episode explores the choices, tensions and identity struggles faced by Ghanaian footballers born and raised in Europe. It explores what drives players to represent powerhouse nations instead of their ancestral homeland, the challenges of integrating diaspora players into the Black Stars, and whether Ghana is doing enough to harness its global talent pool.
Through personal stories and expert insights, the episode examines how diaspora players impact Ghana's football ambitions and the broader issues of identity, preparation and infrastructure that influence their decisions.
In the slides below, we list some of the incredible football talent lost to the Ghana men's national team…
The Black Stars Podcast
The Black Stars is a six-part documentary podcast that asks this question, diving deep into the history, struggles and occasional glories of Ghana’s national football team.
From the highs of its 1960s African Cup of Nations triumphs and the nation’s unforgettable first World Cup in 2006, to the crushing lows of political interference, corruption, mismanagement and near-misses on the world stage, the series lays bare the contradictions at the heart of Ghanaian football.
It explores the powerful forces that have shaped the Black Stars: golden generations that slipped away, the uneasy pull between Ghana and its diaspora stars, the global academies and scouts who profit from raw talent, and the scandals and tragedies – like the 2001 Accra Stadium disaster – that scarred the game at home.
Told through the voices of players, presidents, coaches, scouts, journalists and fans, this is the story of football as Ghana’s greatest source of pride and its most painful heartbreak. A tale of brilliance and squandered promise, of unity and betrayal – and of a nation still striving for the ultimate redemption on football’s biggest stage.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMario Balotelli – Italy
The future Italy striker was born Mario Barwuah in Palermo, Sicily, to Ghanaian immigrant parents Thomas and Rose Barwuah.
When he was still a toddler, he experienced several health issues that saw social workers place him with the Balotelli family to aid his recuperation.
That led to his integration into Italian culture and when the time came for him to choose where to play his international football, he chose Italy.
Getty Images SportKobbie Mainoo – England
Another who was born to Ghanaian immigrants, this time in Manchester, where the youngster was scouted by Manchester United at the age of six, and joined their academy by the age of nine.
He went on to represent England at U17, U18 and U19 youth levels and when the time came for him to make his decision on who to represent, the then 18-year-old chose England over Ghana, who had made overtures through Ghana FA Board member Randy Abbey, who told The Times:
"The Ghana Football Association is interested in monitoring, attracting, and persuading all eligible talents for its various national teams.
"Kobbie is definitely one of such incredible talents, and the Association will love to work with him and many like him, home and abroad," he concluded.
Getty ImagesDanny Welbeck – England
Like Kobbie, Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck was born in Manchester to Ghanaian immigrant parents. He was also integrated into the England set up at youth level and led him to favour the country of his birth over his family heritage when it came to choosing which nation to represent at senior level.
He even, coincidentally, made his England debut against Ghana in a 1-1 friendly draw.