Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has expressed concerns over the current Ghana Football Association (GFA) administration, claiming its structure makes it nearly impossible for any head coach to succeed with the Black Stars.
The Odododiodio Member of Parliament attributed Ghana’s recent failures, including the inability to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to systemic problems within the GFA, which he says unfairly shifts blame onto coaches.
In an interview with Kessben FM, Vanderpuye criticized the lack of decisive action following the Black Stars’ AFCON qualification failure. He argued that the Sports Minister should have taken bold steps to address the situation.
“If I were the Sports Minister, I would disband the GFA. We are not going to be at the Africa Cup of Nations,” Vanderpuye remarked. “FIFA will suspend us for six months, and we will use that period to restructure and prepare for the next AFCON qualifiers.”
He also questioned the GFA’s habit of scapegoating coaches after poor performances. “Why should we always sit back and allow the GFA to sack the coach whenever the Black Stars fail?” he asked.
The former minister went further to state that even world-class managers like Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp would struggle under the current system.
“What is going on in Ghana football is a structural problem. Even if you hire Guardiola, Klopp, or any top coach, without changing the structure, we will still fail,” Vanderpuye argued. “We’ve created a system where one person influences player selection, appoints the coach, and even manages ball boys and team doctors. How can the Black Stars succeed under such conditions?”
The Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON saw them finish bottom of their group, which included Angola, Sudan, and Niger, with only three points from their qualification campaign. Vanderpuye’s remarks come amid growing calls for a major overhaul of Ghanaian football.
