He said it is disheartening to see players with strong African roots, such as Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, choosing to play for countries like England instead of their ancestral nations.
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Okraku stressed his belief that “full-blooded Ghanaians” should represent Ghana at the international level, while also acknowledging the quality and strength of the English national team.
He added that although respect must be given to England’s coach and team, Ghana will remain competitive and determined when the two nations meet at the World Cup. When asked specifically about Mainoo, he described the situation as unfortunate and said he would prefer not to comment further on individual decisions.
Okraku also referenced France’s World Cup-winning squad, noting that many of its players have African heritage, and suggested that the issue of dual-nationality representation remains an important topic for discussion in international football.
He concluded by emphasising the need for continued reflection on how players choose national teams, especially as Ghana prepares for a high-profile meeting with England at the 2026 tournament.
