by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has raised concerns about the declining state of football in Ghana, calling for urgent reforms to address the challenges plaguing the sport.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Nyantakyi lamented the lack of progress under the current GFA administration, led by Kurt Okraku, and highlighted the Black Stars’ recent struggles as a reflection of deeper systemic issues.
Ghana’s football glory has faded in recent years. The Black Stars suffered group-stage eliminations at both the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a historic low for the once-dominant team. Adding to the disappointment, the team failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco — a first in two decades.
“I believe all is not well with our football,” Nyantakyi stated. “During my time, we regularly reached the semifinals or finals of tournaments. Back then, Ghanaians even criticized us for not winning, saying reaching the semifinals was a financial loss to the country.”
He continued, “But now, we’ve failed to progress beyond the group stage in the last two AFCON tournaments, and worse still, we couldn’t even qualify this time. This clearly shows that something is wrong, and it must be fixed.”
Nyantakyi stressed the need for a comprehensive review of Ghana football, including the technical team, the GFA, and management structures, to identify and address the root causes of the decline.
The struggles extend beyond the AFCON stage. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Black Stars also suffered a group-stage exit, further dampening the morale of fans and stakeholders alike.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has expressed disappointment in Otto Addo’s performance as head coach of the Black Stars. Appointed in March 2024 on a three-year contract, the former Borussia Dortmund assistant coach has faced mounting criticism after failing to guide Ghana to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) — marking the nation’s first absence from the tournament in two decades.
The Black Stars endured a dismal qualifying campaign, recording no wins in six matches and finishing bottom of Group F with just three points. In 2024, the team managed to win only two out of 14 games, with Addo overseeing 10 of those matches.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM, Nyantakyi highlighted the team’s poor results under Addo’s leadership.
“With the performance of the Black Stars under Otto Addo, everything shows that he is not doing well,” Nyantakyi stated. “The last time Ghana failed to qualify for an AFCON tournament was twenty years ago, and under Otto Addo, we did not qualify. He has not performed.”
While Nyantakyi refrained from explicitly calling for Addo’s dismissal, he emphasized that the statistics speak for themselves.
“I am not in the position to say he has to be sacked or stay, but the numbers are there for all of us to see,” he added.
The Ghana Football Association is yet to make an official decision regarding Otto Addo’s future. Meanwhile, the Black Stars are set to regroup in March for their crucial Matchday five and six fixtures in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
The Black Stars of Ghana, once a dominant force in African football, are facing an unprecedented crisis after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) — their first absence in two decades. According to Wilfred Osei Kweku Palmer, a former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council member and President of Tema Youth, the team’s struggles stem from a lack of blessings caused by the sidelining of influential figures within Ghanaian football.
Speaking in a heartfelt interview on Asempa FM, Palmer expressed deep frustration at how he and others who have significantly contributed to the team’s development have been treated.
“Sometimes I wonder why people say the Black Stars are suffering,” Palmer remarked. “The truth is, you cannot treat people like this and expect the senior national team to prosper.”
Having served in various capacities to support the Black Stars over the years, Palmer believes the team’s misfortunes are tied to the neglect and lack of recognition of key contributors.
“The team has no blessings. This is the national team that I have served and supported, and this is how I am being treated? I am sorry, but I am deeply hurt,” he lamented.
Despite the disappointing AFCON failure, the Black Stars have a chance to redeem themselves in March, when they regroup for Matchday five and six games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has issued a stern warning to the current GFA leadership, urging them to prioritize the Black Stars’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nyantakyi’s remarks come in the wake of Ghana’s shocking failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the first time in two decades the team has missed the tournament. The Black Stars finished at the bottom of Group F with a dismal three points from six matches, a performance that has drawn widespread criticism.
Speaking to Asempa FM, Nyantakyi underscored the critical importance of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which resume in March. “The 2026 World Cup is a big deal for Ghanaians, and should the Black Stars fail to qualify, the Ghana Football Association will face the wrath of the citizens,” he warned.
Highlighting the historical context, Nyantakyi pointed out that the last time the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, Ghana did not qualify. He urged the GFA and the government to collaborate closely to avoid a repeat of such disappointment.
“The GFA and the government must do everything possible to ensure the Black Stars qualify. The nation cannot afford another setback after missing AFCON,” Nyantakyi added.
The Black Stars are currently in second place in their World Cup qualifying group, tied on 9 points with group leaders Comoros. They have two crucial matches remaining against Chad and Madagascar, which will determine their fate.
With the pressure mounting, the GFA faces an uphill task to restore public confidence and ensure the Black Stars reclaim their place on the global stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Chizaram Ezenwata, the son of former Gombe United star Ndubuisi Ezenwata, announced his arrival on the FA Youth Cup stage in style, scoring a sensational acrobatic volley in Chelsea U18s’ emphatic 7-1 victory over Merstham on Wednesday evening.
The Nigerian striker, fondly called “Chizzy,” came off the bench in the 58th minute and capped off the scoring in the 89th minute with a goal that left spectators in awe. Rising high to meet a cross, he unleashed a stunning overhead kick that rippled the back of the net. This marked his fourth goal of the season for Chelsea U18s, including three in the U18 Premier League.
Chizzy is no stranger to football pedigree, being the son of Ndubuisi Ezenwata, who played under the legendary Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba during his time in Nigeria. His performance adds to the excitement surrounding his scholarship deal with Chelsea, which kicks off next season.
Chelsea’s young stars, led by Nigerian coach Hassan Sulaiman, dominated the game from start to finish. Shumaira Mheuka was the standout performer with a hat-trick, while Kavuma-McQueen, Leo Cardoso, Walsh, and Ezenwata completed the rout. The team also featured Landon Emenalo, son of former Super Eagles left-back Michael Emenalo, and Olutayo Subuloye in the starting lineup.
Merstham managed to pull one goal back through Amari Perkins just before halftime, but Chelsea’s relentless attack proved too much to handle. With this victory, the Blues advance to the fifth round, where they will face either Preston North End or Manchester United.
For Chizzy, this moment is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright career. His acrobatic finish is already being hailed as one of the standout moments of the tournament so far.
