The Black Stars of Ghana, once a dominant force in African football, find themselves mired in an era of disappointing performances, and Wilfred Osei Kwaku Palmer, owner and president of Tema Youth FC, believes the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is to blame.

Speaking to Asempa FM, Palmer did not hold back in his criticism of the GFA, accusing the current leadership of dividing the football community and failing to provide the necessary environment for success. His frustration comes in the wake of the Black Stars’ historic failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, marking their first absence in over two decades.

The team’s dismal campaign in the qualifiers saw them finish at the bottom of Group F with just three points, recording three draws and three defeats in six matches. This follows back-to-back AFCON group-stage eliminations, further compounding the misery of Ghanaian football fans.

Palmer, who has served Ghanaian football in various capacities, expressed personal pain over how he has been treated by the current GFA leadership, hinting that their actions have brought misfortune upon the team.

“Sometimes I wonder why people say the Black Stars are struggling. The truth is you cannot treat people like this and expect the team to prosper,” he lamented. “The team has no blessings. This is the national team I have served and helped, yet this is how I am treated? I am sorry, but I am pained.”

As the Black Stars gear up to face Chad and Madagascar in their final 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March, fans are hopeful for an upturn in fortunes. However, Palmer’s words serve as a reminder of the challenges within the administration of Ghanaian football that may hinder the team’s progress.