Ghana’s inability to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reignited debates about the internal issues plaguing the Black Stars. Former Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, has attributed the team’s decline to the mishandling of captaincy within the squad.

Speaking to Happy FM, Asamoah highlighted the inconsistency in leadership roles as a significant factor in the team’s struggles. He pointed to the example of Jordan Ayew, who was handed the captaincy briefly, only to have it taken away in a controversial decision.

“The captaincy issue is a big problem. Jordan was made captain for a while, then he wasn’t—it’s just a mess. That’s why we’ve failed to make progress in the African Cup of Nations,” Asamoah said.

He further stressed that unresolved leadership disputes have overshadowed the impact of coaching appointments, suggesting that even elite managers would struggle under such conditions. “We can bring in Maresca, or anyone else, but if the captaincy isn’t managed properly, the team will keep disappointing us,” he warned.

Fans have joined the chorus, urging the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to prioritize resolving the captaincy issues. Many believe that fixing the leadership structure is key to reviving the Black Stars’ fortunes on the continental stage.