CAF Senior Media Officer Ibrahim Sannie Daara has attributed the recent struggles of Ghana’s Black Stars to a pattern of frequent coaching changes, which he believes have hindered team stability and growth. Since the tenure of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku began, the national team has cycled through five head coaches, each bringing their own approach but leaving before fostering lasting impact.
The coaching carousel began with CK Akonnor succeeding Kwesi Appiah, only for Akonnor to be replaced by Milovan Rajevac. Rajevac’s tenure, however, was cut short after a disappointing performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, where the team exited early, falling short of expectations. His departure marked yet another abrupt transition as the GFA appointed Otto Addo on an interim basis to manage the crucial World Cup playoffs against Nigeria. Under Addo’s leadership, the Black Stars secured a World Cup berth, defeating Nigeria in a tense qualifying match. The team’s youthfulness, noted by many, seemed to promise a bright future, with optimism high for the upcoming tournament in Qatar.
However, Ghana’s World Cup journey ended sooner than hoped, with an early exit in the group stage. Addo subsequently resigned, and Chris Hughton, who had served as the technical advisor, stepped up as head coach. Hughton’s term saw a similar outcome: after another group-stage elimination at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, he was released from his duties, leaving the team once again in transition. In March, the GFA turned back to Otto Addo, reappointing him with a 34-month contract in a bid to provide the team with the long-term stability it so desperately needed.
Reflecting on the challenges brought by these coaching changes, Sannie Daara, who previously served as Communications Director for the GFA, expressed concern about the impact on team confidence and cohesion. In a recent interview with Asempa FM, Daara shared his perspective on how the coaching turnover has disrupted the progress that might have been achieved with a more stable technical team. “The Black Stars defeated Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup with a very young team,” he noted, “and if you look at the squad, we were very young, so the momentum should have continued despite the elimination from the World Cup. But we could not sustain the momentum.”
Sannie Daara’s insights highlight the importance of patience and consistency as the GFA navigates a challenging phase in Black Stars history.
“I believe the frequent changes of coaches have not helped the team and it has affected the confidence of this team,” he explained. With the reappointment of Addo, Daara believes the GFA is now moving in the right direction by allowing a single head coach time to build a cohesive and competitive squad. “The technical team is now building a young team, so we must exercise patience for this team.”
The road to a stronger Black Stars will not be easy. As the team works toward regaining its footing, it faces crucial challenges in its AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
Currently sitting third in Group F with only two points from four matches, the Black Stars must step up to secure wins in their final group-stage matches to qualify. They are scheduled to face Angola on November 15 in Luanda, followed by a home game against Niger Republic three days later.
For now, the emphasis is on building a team that can compete confidently at both regional and global tournaments. Daara’s call for patience is a message to fans and stakeholders to allow the current technical team, led by Addo, the time to establish a solid foundation.
As the team continues to grow and find its rhythm, the hope is that a more stable coaching environment will ultimately lead the Black Stars back to the top ranks of African football.
