In the wake of Ghana’s shock absence from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, doubts have begun to swirl over the Black Stars’ standing in African football. Yet, amid the noise, Mali’s Belgian coach, Tom Saintfiet, has stepped forward with a firm reminder: Ghana’s footballing flame has not dimmed—it has only flickered.

Speaking with conviction, Saintfiet—who once came close to managing Ghana himself—rejected claims that missing out on a major tournament signals the beginning of a decline.

“The availability of players in Ghana is immense,” he insisted, pointing to the deep reservoir of talent that continues to flow from the West African nation.

To reinforce his point, the veteran coach drew from history. “Italy did not qualify for the World Cup. Nigeria became champions in 2013, and in the very next AFCON, they were not qualified,” he said. His words framed Ghana’s stumble as part of football’s unpredictable rhythm rather than a collapse.

Saintfiet also reminded the world of Ghana’s near-historic run at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where only Luis Suárez’s infamous handball stopped the Black Stars from becoming Africa’s first semi-finalists. That moment, he argued, still symbolizes Ghana’s pedigree on the global stage.

For him, the Black Stars’ foundations—talent, infrastructure, and a rich football history—are far too strong to be erased by one failure.

“Ghana is still among Africa’s elite,” Saintfiet concluded. “This is only a temporary setback.”