What ex-footballers, sports personalities have said about controversies surrounding Black Stars’ woes

The Black Stars are on the verge of failing to qualify for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco for the first time in 20 years following a disastrous performance against Sudan in the two-leg encounter, drawing one and losing the other.

After four matches played, Ghana are third in Group F with two points, Sudan are in second place with seven points, while Angola leads with twelve points.

The Black Stars will travel to face Angola and play the last match against Niger in Ghana in November 2024.

This GhanaWeb Sports piece highlights what retired Black Stars footballers, football administrators, and sports personalities have said regarding the poor performance of the team.

Charles Taylor

The former Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak player criticised the Black Stars coach for his mediocre tactical approach to the game against Sudan, adding that Jordan Ayew’s role as a striker was problematic.

“The biggest problem of the coach is the squad selection. I’m not saying they are not good, but he does not have the audacity to speak to players when things are going wrong. If he had, we would have scored a goal against Sudan.

“He also lacks an in-depth understanding of the job, which reflects in his approach to games. Otto must listen to advice as he has been using the same squad for matches, which does not yield positive results, so what is preventing him from changing the squad?” he said in Twi during an interview with Angel FM.

Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe

The veteran football administrator stated that sacking managers has been the primary action, but the problems persist.

In his view, dismissing Otto Addo will not solve the Black Stars’ woes.

Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM, he said, “I will not say Otto Addo should be dismissed because that has never been the solution. He rather needs advice.

“He [Otto Addo] will only do well based on the instructions he will be given by the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Otto Addo must not be sacked. Keep him and guide him,” he opined.

Joseph Yaw Appiah

Former Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Joseph Yaw Appiah, stated that the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, is responsible for the struggles of the Black Stars in recent times.

He explained that the minister’s role in the appointment of coaches for the Black Stars, in conjunction with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has not yielded positive results.

“I blame the sports minister for the Black Stars’ woes, as he oversees the appointment of underqualified coaches for the national team,” he said, as shared by Oyerepa TV/FM on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Augustine Arhinful

The former Borussia Dortmund player advised the Black Stars coach to focus on the tactical work during matches instead of staying glued to the computers on the bench to watch replays of incidents.

Speaking in an interview with Happy FM, Arhinful also criticised the criteria used for the selection of coaches, as most of them fail to thrive with the Black Stars team.

“You will see the coach looking at the computer on the bench, meanwhile the game is a tactical work on the field of play. The computer is there to aid you. So the technical men should sit up seriously.

“The coaches we have been appointing for Black Stars recently have not been doing well. Before Otto’s appointment, a statement was issued for the selection of the new coach, but it was not followed. I ask myself who forced them to issue that statement,” he said in Twi during the interview.

Kudjoe Fianoo

The Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Kudjoe Fianoo, said that he will take legal action against the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku.

He explained that since Kurt assumed office, the standards of football in the country have dwindled drastically, with the various national teams finding it difficult to excel in tournaments.

“The system at the GFA is crashed and change is overdue. Together with GHALCA, I will soon lead an impeachment process against Kurt Okraku to restore integrity and accountability to our football,” he said as shared by Oyerepa FM/TV on X.

Dan Kwaku Yeboah

Ace sports journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah criticised the Ghana Football Association over the alleged use of ‘black magic’ during Ghana’s game against Sudan on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Speaking on Okay FM, Kwaku Yeboah wondered why a country of Ghana’s caliber would resort to ‘juju’ in a game against a less-fancied opponent like Sudan.

“It is disgraceful that a country like Ghana would resort to juju in a game against Sudan. If juju worked in football, countries like India and Benin would be winning the World Cup. How can you be putting garlic and onions on a pitch in the 21st century?” he said.

Kwaku Yeboah called on the government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to pay particular attention to the national teams, as the teams have now become marketing tools for senior members of the GFA.

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu

Former Black Stars midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, backtracked on his support for head coach Otto Addo.

The former Udinese man’s comments follow Ghana’s abysmal performance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Agyemang-Badu apologised for adding his voice to calls for Otto Addo’s return, claiming that the job is beyond the German-trained gaffer.

“I apologise [as I was part] of those who advocated for the second coming of coach Otto Addo. If you go into my interviews, I gave him massive support but I’m sorry. It seems the task is beyond him.” he told Onua TV.

Saddick Adams

Saddick Adams disclosed that head coach Otto Addo did not inform Jordan personally about the decision to hand over the captain’s armband to Mohammed Kudus before announcing it publicly.

He disclosed that Jordan felt disrespected by Otto Addo’s decision not to pre-inform him about the issue as the senior player among the squad.

Speaking in an interview with Peace FM, Saddick Adams further disclosed that the Black Stars management committee was not aware of the captaincy decision until it was made public.

“Jordan Ayew’s anger is due to the fact that before Otto Addo announced Kudus as the Black Stars captain, he did not tell him [Jordan] personally. He is the senior-most player in the team. During the Mali match, Otto Addo explained to Jordan earlier on why he would start from the bench, which he scored in the game.

“So, with the captaincy issue, he expected Otto Addo to inform him about the captaincy before making it public, but he did not. Even the Black Stars management committee members were not told about the decision,” he said in Twi.

Kwabena Owusu

Ghanaian international striker Kwabena Owusu pointed fingers at the leadership of the Black Stars, suggesting that the team’s ongoing struggles in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers are more of a leadership issue than a player problem.

Owusu, who has previously featured for the Black Stars, took to social media to voice his concerns and share his thoughts on what he believes is holding the national team back.

In his candid statement, he said, “I know people are frustrated and blame the players, but the truth must be told, the problem has to do with the leaders. With all due respect.”

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