In a quiet moment of reflection, Karim Zito, the experienced coach of Dreams FC, sat down with Graphic Sports, his voice filled with both frustration and hope. The Black Stars, once a powerhouse in African football, had suffered another devastating blow—failing to qualify for the upcoming AFCON after finishing at the bottom of their group. For Zito, the issue wasn’t just about the players on the pitch but the very foundation of Ghanaian football.

“What is troubling the Black Stars? Why are we always searching for new players?” he asked, his words carrying the weight of years spent nurturing young talent.

For him, the answer was clear—Ghana’s football lacked a proper development structure. Unlike European nations, where young players follow a structured pathway to the senior national team, Ghana’s junior teams had stopped consistently producing top talent. Without a steady pipeline of homegrown stars, the Black Stars were forced to rely on last-minute scouting missions instead of nurturing their own.

Zito pointed to the golden generation led by Coach Sellas Tetteh, who guided Ghana’s U-20 team to FIFA World Cup glory in 2009. That squad, featuring players like Andre Ayew, Samuel Inkoom, and Jonathan Mensah, later formed the backbone of the senior team that reached the 2010 AFCON final and impressed at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

“How many of our current Black Stars players actually came through the junior ranks?” Zito questioned, his voice firm with conviction.

Beyond the footballing system, he also placed some responsibility on the media, criticizing the constant pressure for instant results rather than supporting long-term growth. In his view, success couldn’t be built overnight—it required patience, planning, and unwavering commitment.

As Ghanaian football faces a critical crossroads, Zito’s words serve as both a warning and a roadmap for the future. If the country hopes to restore its footballing dominance, the Ghana Football Association must prioritize youth development, ensuring a clear succession plan that can bring back the glory days of the Black Stars.