For the first time in two decades, Ghana’s Black Stars will not be part of Africa’s biggest football spectacle—the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The disappointment has sent shockwaves through the football community, with former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu placing the blame squarely on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and head coach Otto Addo.

In a candid interview, Agyemang-Badu, a U-20 FIFA World Cup winner and former Udinese star, expressed his frustration over the team’s disastrous qualification campaign. Ghana finished at the bottom of their group with just three points, recording three defeats and three draws in six matches.

“The GFA and Otto Addo must share the blame for this failure. It’s unacceptable for a nation with our pedigree to miss out on AFCON,” Agyemang-Badu told Sportsblog247.com.

With AFCON 2025 out of reach, the Black Stars must now shift their focus to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Their next test comes later this month with crucial fixtures against Chad and Madagascar.