Don’t force experienced players into retirement - Dan Quaye

Ghanaian defender Dan Quaye has cautioned football fans to desist from retiring players before their time.

According to the former Hearts of Oak defender, players should rather be encouraged to play even in their ‘old age’ since they carry more experience which is essential in the game.

The player believes Berekum Chelsea and Great Olympics are in their best form in the ongoing Ghana Premier League due to the combination of senior and young players they have in their folds.

“Accra Great Olympics have experience players among them that is why they are performing,” Dan Quaye said in an interview with Ghanaweb. He added, “I keep on saying, they should allow the experience players to play, when you watch today’s games you could see the experience is not there.

Experienced players must be allowed to play, we shouldn’t say he is old.” The 2005 CAF Confederation Cup winner noted that Ghanaian players are unable to return to the local league after several years abroad because their mistakes are not forgotten compared to Europe. He also called on the media to erase the misconception held by football fans about aged players.

“The media have to educate the fans. If a senior player is playing, they have to encourage him because in Europe they encourage the senior players but in Ghana if you do a small mistake you will be insulted.”

“When you look at Berekum Chelsea and Olympics, they’ve blended the senior players among the small boys and they are doing well. I wish every team would have two or three experienced players in their team so that they can teach the young ones who are coming,” Dan Quaye went on to say.

The defender also indicated that he won’t be hanging his boots now since several clubs have shown interest in him.

“I’m still fit and I am still training 100 percent. I have some movement outside, if I don’t go abroad, I will find a club here so that the rest of the talent I have in me I will transfer to the young ones.”

Dan Quaye has won the Ghana Premier League six times, an FA Cup, a CAF Confederation Cup and an African Super Cup during his time with Hearts of Oak.

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