Ghanaian football legend Abedi Pele has expressed concern over the declining state of football in the country, urging a collective effort to reshape and restore its former glory.
His comments come in the wake of the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), finishing last in Group F with just three points and no wins. The disappointing campaign marks a low point for Ghanaian football, which has struggled to regain prominence on both the continental and global stage.
Speaking to the media, the three-time African Footballer of the Year highlighted the stark contrast between the success of previous generations and the current state of football in Ghana. Pele, who was part of the Black Stars’ AFCON-winning squad in 1982, believes that hard work and proper organization are key to reviving the sport in the country.
“I think time changes in all, and this spans over three decades,” Pele said, as quoted by Panafricafootball. “So whatever it is, we shouldn’t look back. We should just look forward and work hard to achieve whatever we want to achieve.”
The football icon emphasized the need for systemic changes to improve the sport. “What it takes to be a great football team or a great football nation is to work hard and put your house in order to make sure that you get results. That is all it takes to be a good team all over the world,” he noted.
Pele also underscored the unifying power of football, adding, “Football is one of the keys to ensure that the teams and the country are united.”
With local football struggling to capture attention and the national team underperforming, Pele’s call serves as a rallying cry for stakeholders to address the challenges and pave the way for a brighter future in Ghanaian football.
