Former Asante Kotoko Board Chairman Herbert Mensah has strongly criticized Ghanaian football administrators following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The four-time African champions endured a dismal campaign, finishing at the bottom of Group F alongside Sudan, Niger, and Angola without a single win in six matches. This marks the first time in 20 years that Ghana has failed to qualify for the AFCON and the ninth such occurrence in the nation’s history.
Speaking to Joy News, Mensah expressed frustration over the lack of a cohesive system within Ghana football, contrasting it with nations like Niger and Sudan, which rely on effective systems rather than individual stars from top leagues.
“You would have noticed it even with Niger and Sudan; you’re not seeing stars in the Bundesliga, Premier League, or La Liga. But what you see are teams playing with a coordinated system that makes sense,” Mensah remarked.
He further criticized football administrators for failing to establish functional systems while continuing to offer unconvincing excuses for the team’s poor performances.
“What is it about our administrators that allows them to create a system that fails and still have the audacity to make excuses no one in their right mind would accept?” Mensah questioned.
The way forward for the Black Stars
Following their AFCON disappointment, Otto Addo’s team is now shifting focus to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has initiated engagements with stakeholders in an effort to address the underlying issues and revive the national team’s fortunes.
Mensah’s remarks underscore the urgent need for reforms in Ghanaian football, with fans calling for accountability and a clear path forward for the Black Stars. It is imperative that the GFA takes decisive action to address the systemic issues plaguing Ghanaian football and ensure that the national team can once again compete at the highest level on the continent.
