by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana coach Otto Addo has addressed the backlash following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), clarifying comments he made about drawing advice from football experts.
Ahead of Ghana’s decisive match against Niger, Addo referenced his experience with renowned football figures such as Matthias Sammer, Jürgen Klopp, and Edin Terzić. These remarks, however, drew criticism after the team’s surprising 2-1 loss to Niger, with many interpreting his statements as prioritizing foreign input over local expertise.
In his post-match clarification, Addo insisted his words were misinterpreted. “Sometimes people take things out of context,” he said. “What I meant was that I value constructive criticism from knowledgeable individuals—be it Ghanaians or others in football. If someone asks why we did something a certain way, that’s fine. But when it gets personal, I rely on those who truly understand the game to give balanced perspectives.”
The coach emphasized that he regularly incorporates insights from Ghanaians with a deep understanding of football. “I have meaningful discussions with many Ghanaians who provide good ideas, like how to improve set pieces. I take advice from anyone with valuable experience,” Addo added.
Despite the public outcry and calls for his resignation, Addo maintained that emotional reactions do not deter him from reflecting critically on his team’s performance. “After every game, I evaluate what we could have done better, both on and off the pitch. Improvement is constant, and for this, I need expertise,” he explained.
Expressing optimism for Ghana’s footballing future, Addo urged fans to remain hopeful. “It’s not always going to be down. Better days will come, and I’m confident about that. Until I’m here, I will give everything to this team.”
As the Ghana Football Association Executive Council prepares to deliberate on his future in the coming days, Addo remains resolute in his commitment to improving the Black Stars.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
A Painful Chapter in Ghanaian Football
Ghana’s football fraternity is grappling with a historic setback after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This marks the first time in 20 years that the four-time AFCON champions will miss the continent’s premier football tournament. The last such failure was in 2004, and the sting of this recent disappointment has left fans and stakeholders searching for answers.
The Black Stars’ campaign was nothing short of disastrous. After six matches without a single win—three losses and three draws—they finished at the bottom of Group F with just three points. The once-dominant West African powerhouse now faces the difficult task of rebuilding its football legacy.
Kurt Okraku Speaks Out
Amid the public outcry, Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has called for calm and unity. Acknowledging the depth of frustration among fans, he expressed his own heartbreak over the team’s performance.
“From the highest heights of world football on March 29, 2022, to the lowest ebb of AFCON qualifying matches. My heart bleeds,” Okraku said, referencing Ghana’s journey from the 2022 World Cup to their current struggles.
“Definitely, this is not what we want or what we bargained for. At this point, only cool heads can win. We as leaders of our sport will stay together, be honest with ourselves, and fix this problem,” he added.
A Road to Recovery
Okraku likened Ghana’s football challenges to a bumpy recovery process, emphasizing that collective efforts, honesty, and patience are needed to overcome the current crisis. “We will rise from this temporary setback. It shall be well,” he reassured fans, promising better days ahead for Ghanaian football.
Focus Shifts to 2026 World Cup
With the AFCON dream dashed, attention now turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Black Stars will have the chance to redeem themselves when the qualifiers resume in March 2025. For Okraku and the GFA, the immediate task is to rebuild confidence and ensure the team is better prepared for future challenges.
As the nation reflects on this painful chapter, one thing remains clear: Ghanaian football will need determination, unity, and strategic leadership to reclaim its former glory.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
A Nation’s Dream Shattered
Ghana’s football faithful were left heartbroken on Monday as the Black Stars suffered a stunning 2-1 home defeat to Niger in their final Group F match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The match at the Accra Sports Stadium was supposed to be a moment of redemption but instead marked a bitter end to a disastrous qualifying campaign.
Trailing 2-1, Ghana was handed a lifeline in the dying moments, but star midfielder Mohammed Kudus failed to convert a last-minute penalty. The miss sealed Ghana’s fate, leaving them with just three points from six matches—three draws and three losses—a record that ranks among the nation’s worst in football history.
Calls for Change Grow Louder
The dismal campaign has sparked outrage across the country. Fans and stakeholders alike have criticized head coach Otto Addo for questionable tactical decisions and an inability to inspire a struggling squad. Social media platforms have been flooded with demands for a complete overhaul of the team’s leadership and strategy.
Eyes on Redemption
Despite the disappointment, the Black Stars have little time to dwell on their AFCON failure. The team must now turn their focus to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, beginning in March 2025. This new campaign offers Ghana a chance to rebuild and reignite the passion that once defined its football legacy.
To achieve success, the team must address glaring weaknesses, instill confidence, and foster cohesion on and off the pitch. With proper preparation and determination, Ghana can use this setback as a springboard for redemption on the global stage.
The Road Ahead
As the Black Stars shift gears, they carry the weight of a nation’s expectations. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Ghana can reclaim its place as a football powerhouse or remain mired in mediocrity. For now, the message is clear: the time for excuses is over. The path to 2026 begins with action, ambition, and a renewed sense of purpose.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
The Black Stars’ disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been tempered by the promising performances of home-based players, reigniting hope in Ghana’s domestic talent pool.
Traditionally overlooked, local players made a significant impact after head coach Otto Addo included them in his squad for the qualifiers against Angola and Niger. Initially, three home-based players—Emmanuel Antwi (Kotoko), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), and Isaac Afful (Samartex)—earned call-ups.
The injury absences of key players such as Jordan Ayew, Fatawu Issahaku, Gideon Mensah, and Alidu Seidu forced Addo to turn to more local talent for the crucial game against Niger. Medeama’s Kamaradini Mamudu, Ebenezer Abban (Heart of Lions), and teenage sensation Jerry Afriyie were drafted in and made their national team debuts.
Razak Simpson had already made an impression in the 1-1 draw against Angola in Luanda, showing composure and skill in midfield. In the final game against Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium, Simpson and Afful started and performed admirably. Substitutes Mamudu, Abban, and Afriyie also added energy, with Afriyie scoring Ghana’s consolation goal in the 2-1 defeat.
Although the loss confirmed Ghana’s absence from the AFCON for the first time since 2004, the contributions of the home-based players stood out. Their performances have prompted calls for greater reliance on domestic talent in future Black Stars squads.
The qualifiers saw Ghana, a four-time AFCON champion, finish bottom of Group F with three points after six games without a win. It’s a stark reminder of the team’s current struggles, but the emergence of local talent offers a silver lining.
As the Black Stars shift focus to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, set to resume in March, fans and analysts hope the technical team will continue to nurture the talent within Ghana’s domestic leagues.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Accra, Ghana – The Black Stars’ failure to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has left the nation in deep disappointment. Team Manager Ameenu Shardow has openly admitted the team’s shortcomings, expressing his personal anguish over the outcome.
Ghana’s senior national football team concluded their qualifiers with a dismal record, finishing bottom of Group F with just three points and no wins in six games. Their campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat against Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, following a 1-1 draw against Angola in Luanda the previous Friday.
Reflecting on the campaign, Shardow confessed in an interview with Happy FM, “We have let Ghanaians down by failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. It hurts because I can’t even go home. My family is hurt just like I am. We’ve disappointed the country, and this failure stings deeply.”
The Black Stars’ journey was fraught with struggles from the start. A 1-0 loss to Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium marked a rocky opening, followed by a 1-1 draw against Niger in Berkane. Their doubleheader against Sudan yielded further disappointment: a goalless draw in Accra and a 2-0 defeat in Libya.
Ghanaians, who hold high expectations for their national team, have been vocal about their dissatisfaction, with many calling for a thorough review of the team’s management and performance strategy.
The absence of the Black Stars from the continent’s premier football competition marks a significant setback in Ghana’s football history.
