Ghana’s Decline: A Struggle to Reclaim African Football Dominance
The Black Stars’ recent struggles have been a stark contrast to their former glory. Over the past half-decade, the team has struggled to maintain its dominance in African football. The constant turnover of players and coaching staff has disrupted the team’s rhythm and hindered its progress.
As a result, Ghana’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations proved futile. This marks a significant decline for a nation that once dominated African football.
Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations sums up a progressive decline in Ghana’s form in the African’s Nations Cup and even shared across other competitions
BLACK STARS REGRESSION
2008-2017, Have made2 finals[2010,2015] and 4 semis
2019 Stage R-16 exit
2021 – Group Stage exit
2023 – Group Stage exit
2025 – Did not qualify
FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS
This means Ghana has made it to all the last 10 biennial Nations Cup
After match day 5 of the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, Ghana remains at the bottom of their Group [f] table. With 5 match matches already played, Ghana has suffered 2 defeats, and 3 drawing failing to pick just a single win.
Despite a consistent qualification streak for the past decade, the Black Stars’ failure to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON marks a significant setback. After five matchdays, Ghana sits at the bottom of their group, highlighting the team’s current form and the challenges it faces in regaining its former glory.
This marks the second time Ghana has failed to qualify for an AFCON hosted by Morocco, [1988]. The last Ghana failed to qualify in this century was in 2004. This recent failure adds to a worrying trend, with Ghana missing qualification for the tournament nine times in total.
1962 AFCON (Ethiopia), 1972 AFCON (Cameroon), 1974 AFCON (Egypt)
1976 AFCON (Ethiopia), 1986 AFCON (Egypt), 1988 AFCON (Morocco)
1990 AFCON (Algeria), 2004 AFCON (Tunisia)
2025 AFCON (Morocco)
Breakdown of the truncated AFCON 2025 journey
Group F in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers right from the start looked complicated for Ghana, particularly against Sudan, a team led by former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah and a full Ghanaian back house
Ghana’s 2025 AFCON campaign has been disappointing. Despite drawing with Angola, Sudan, and Niger, the Black Stars failed to secure crucial wins. This lacklustre performance, coupled with the strong showing from Sudan, led to Ghana’s elimination from the qualifiers.
Ghana’s hopes of progressing to the next round of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers were dashed after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Angola in an away game. This result solidified Ghana’s position at the bottom of Group F, with a mere three points from five matches.
First match against Angola at the Baba Yayra Sports stadium saw Ghana giving up in the dying minutes of the game to concede a goal breaking the history of having 24 years unbeaten home record at its favourite home ground in Kumasi which is located at the heart of Ghana
Niger 1 – 1 Ghana
Ghana 0 – 0 Sudan
Sudan 2 – 0 Ghana
Angola 1 – 1 Ghana
Ghana vs. Niger [ yet to be played] for the formality and the pride of the game.
Following this continuous disappointing performance, Ghanaian fans have increasingly called for reforms in the domestic league to replace and serve the national team when the need arrives. Razak Simpson, a standout local player, has garnered praise for his great performances in the match in the away match against Angola that ended in a draw, highlighting the potential of homegrown talent. His impressive displays have been a rare bright spot in recent times, and his inclusion in the national team could offer a glimmer of hope.
The once-mighty Black Stars now face a period of intense reflection as they grapple with their failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON. With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers looming, Ghana must reassess its strategies and rebuild to ensure a stronger showing on the international stage.
By: Henry Kofi Quansah
