Frequent coach changes hinder progress of Black — CAF
CAF Senior Media Officer Ibrahim Sannie Daara has pinpointed the frequent changes in coaching staff as a significant factor behind the recent struggles of Ghana’s Black Stars.
The national team has seen a revolving door of head coaches since Kurt Okraku took the helm as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, leading to a disruption in the team’s growth and confidence.
The saga began with CK Akonnor replacing Kwesi Appiah, only to be succeeded by Milovan Rajevac after a series of underwhelming performances. Rajevac’s tenure ended following the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, prompting Otto Addo to step in temporarily for the World Cup playoffs against Nigeria. Addo’s leadership saw the Black Stars secure a spot at the World Cup in Qatar, but his resignation followed an early exit from the tournament.
Chris Hughton then took charge, acting as the team’s technical advisor before facing dismissal after another group-stage elimination at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
In a bid to stabilize the team, the GFA rehired Otto Addo in March with a 34-month contract. However, the impact of these frequent changes still looms large.
Sannie Daara, who once served as the Communications Director for the GFA, shared his insights on Asempa FM, saying, “The Black Stars defeated Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup with a very young team. If we had kept the momentum going, the team could have done better, but we failed to maintain it.”
He emphasized the need for patience as Otto Addo works on building a robust and competitive squad amidst the turbulent coaching shifts.
“The team struggles in tournaments and even against weaker sides now. The technical team is working on developing a young team, so we need to be patient,” he noted.
Currently, the Black Stars find themselves third in Group F with only two points from four games.
They are set to face Angola in Luanda on November 15, followed by a home match against Niger Republic three days later, marking their final qualifiers for AFCON 2025.
The road ahead demands stability and perseverance, as the team seeks to reclaim its former glory on the African football stage.
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