Accra, December 3, 2024 – Ghanaian football legend Ibrahim Sunday has identified the absence of a long-term succession plan as the root cause of the Black Stars’ recent struggles. His comments come in the wake of Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a setback that has drawn widespread criticism.

Ghana, a four-time AFCON champion, endured a dismal qualifying campaign, finishing bottom of Group F with only three points from six matches. The team registered three draws and three defeats, marking the first time in 20 years that the Black Stars will miss the prestigious tournament.

In an interview, Sunday reflected on the team’s decline, attributing it to a lack of strategic planning for the future.

“The Black Stars are struggling because we didn’t plan for the future,” he explained. “We enjoyed the successes of previous years but failed to build a pipeline of talent. There should have been efforts to integrate younger players into the team gradually.”

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) now faces critical decisions regarding the team’s direction. Head coach Otto Addo’s future remains uncertain, with fans and experts divided on whether he should continue.

The Black Stars will have an opportunity to redeem themselves in March 2025 when they face Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, Sunday’s remarks serve as a poignant reminder of the need for structural reforms to ensure Ghana’s footballing legacy endures.