Niger’s head coach, Badou Zaki, has criticized the current Black Stars squad, stating that they are struggling significantly both in attack and defense.
In an interview with Ghanasportspage.com, Zaki expressed concern over the apparent decline in Ghana’s footballing prowess, contrasting it sharply with the team’s past achievements.
“The Black Stars is big and known as the Brazilians of Africa because the team is very heavy when you check the players. You have Seidu, Lamptey, Partey and many players who perform in the major leagues in Europe but I think something is happening. You don’t feel like the Black Stars we know before,”
Zaki’s remarks follow Ghana’s underwhelming performance at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Abidjan. Despite boasting a roster full of talent, the Black Stars’ performance fell short of expectations. “We saw Ghana at the AFCON in Abidjan but it wasn’t good. They have big players, big team and players with good performance.
Comparing the present squad with the team that nearly reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup, Zaki highlighted a significant decline. “We watched Ghana at the World Cup 2010 and they almost qualified for the semi-finals. There is mass different between that team and the current team. They are not strong in attack and defence.
Zaki also pointed out the Black Stars’ defensive weaknesses, citing their recent game against Central African Republic at home as an example of their current struggles. “They concede many goals. They conceded three goals against Central African Republic at home which is not normal. They concede goals every time,” said the Moroccan trainer.
As the Black Stars prepare to host Sudan in the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers next month, they will face the challenge of playing on neutral ground following a ban on the Baba Yara Stadium by CAF.
The upcoming match will be crucial for Ghana as they seek to address their current issues and regain their competitive edge.
