Hunger is the reason players move abroad - Muntari Tagoe

Medeama SC skipper Muntari Tagoe has revealed the motivating factor why exodus of Ghanaian players that tend to leave the local game after a season or two keeps growing and becoming a negative influence on the league but good fortune for the players – the reason is ‘hunger’.

The 23-year-old who was adjudged the best goalkeeper in the MTN FA Cup last season has won two trophies with the Tarkwa based club in less than a year believes footballers are under-valued in Ghana and won’t blame any player who decides to leave and seek for greener-pastures.

In an interview with Boss fm, Muntari Tagoe said, “The reason why most players leave the league after one season is simple and it’s ‘hunger’; why should a player stay in the league if he is offered $500 per month abroad?
The Ghana premier league offers no money so what is the essence to play in it f not only because you are left with no option – I play simply because I have the talent and because i don’t want to waste it play and the opportunity to travel outside hasn’t arrived yet.”

“It is the dream of every player to develop his game and in so doing aims to move up the ladder and that comes with the financial fortune. If a club offers to give a player US$500, US$1000 or US$1500 why should the player stay in the local league and be offered Ghc200 or Ghc300 will you advice the player to accept the minimal Ghc200 and forego the US$1000? Footballers also have families and people who depend on them and every month if you’re to finance the family with that small amount then what is the essence of playing then,” he added.

The former Ghana U-20 shot-stopper helped the mauve-and-yellow win the Super Cup trophy after beating Ashanti Gold 1-0 on Sunday.