Former Black Satellites striker, Ransford Osei has vowed never to allow his children to play for any of the Ghanaian national teams.
The former Medeama SC recently confirmed his retirement from football at the age of 30.
Osei was a celebrated footballer at the youth level, playing at separate U-17 and U-20 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
At 17, Osei mounted the podium to collect his silver boot award after scoring five goals at the U-17 World Cup in South Korea. Ghana placed fourth in that tournament.
He was a member of the Black Starlets side that won bronze at the 2007 U-17 World Cup, where he emerged as the winner of the golden boot. Osei was also part of the Black Satellites team that won the Africa Youth Championship in 2009 as well as the U-20 World Cup in the same year.
Speaking to Humble Ike on Youtube, the retired striker said he won’t allow his kids to play for Ghana.
According to him, the current system in place does not reward footballers who are deserving of call-ups.
“Should my child decide to play football, then I’ll not allow him to play for any Ghana national team. I’m being real and I’m not afraid to say it,” he said.
“Ghana football goes beyond your talent. You have to give something before you’re given the opportunity. So why should I allow my son to play for the Black Stars?”
Asked if he’ll become a coach after ending his playing career, Osei said he has no plans of taking a place on the bench.
Osei, after U-20 World Cup, was handed a Black Stars a call-up and was part of the team that won silver at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Angola but could not secure a place in the squad for the World Cup in South Africa.
The striker was recognized by World Soccer Magazine as one of the 50 Most Exciting Teenagers on the planet in their November 2007 Issue.
Osei donned the colours of Kessben (now Medeama), Kotoko, Granada, Bloemfontein Celtic, FC Twente and more.
Credit: Modern Ghana