The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, has advocated for a return to foundational principles to address the Black Stars’ struggles following their dismal performance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The senior national team faced sharp criticism after failing to secure a single victory in six matches, finishing at the bottom of Group F with three points. This marks Ghana’s first absence from the AFCON tournament in two decades.
Nunoo Mensah attributed the poor performance to a lack of national attachment and commitment among the players, particularly those who switched nationality to represent Ghana. He believes their inability to fully grasp the significance of wearing the national jersey has hindered team cohesion and performance.
“I don’t see the national attachment of these players, and it is because they have been brought from different places. They don’t understand the jersey they are wearing,” Nunoo Mensah said in an interview. “We need to go back to the basics to fix these problems.”
The GOC President’s comments come as the Black Stars prepare to regroup for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar in March 2025. With growing calls for change, the future of head coach Otto Addo also hangs in the balance, as the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council is yet to make a decision on his tenure.
Fans and stakeholders are hopeful that a renewed approach and a focus on commitment will restore the Black Stars to their former glory.
