Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to focus on a long-term rebuilding project for the Black Stars rather than placing immediate pressure on the team to win the Africa Cup of Nations.
Kingston’s comments follow Ghana’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.
The Black Stars’ campaign came to an end in Kansas City after Jhon Arias scored the only goal of the game in the first half, denying Ghana a place in the next stage of the tournament.
While Ghana managed to reach the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time since 2010, Kingston believes the current squad still requires significant development before it can realistically compete for major international trophies.
Speaking on Joy Prime, the former Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics winger argued that Ghana must resist the temptation to chase immediate success and instead focus on creating a sustainable foundation for the future.
“We shouldn’t be thinking about winning the AFCON because we do not have a team,” Kingston said.
The former Black Stars midfielder believes the country needs a well-structured plan centred around player development, proper scouting, improved preparation and consistent investment in the national team.
According to Kingston, rebuilding the Black Stars requires patience and a clear direction rather than short-term expectations that could place unnecessary pressure on coaches and players.
Ghana’s World Cup campaign under head coach Carlos Queiroz showed signs of improvement, particularly in defensive organisation, but the team struggled to create enough attacking opportunities during key moments.
The four-time African champions will now shift their attention to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they will begin the next phase of their rebuilding process.
Kingston believes that with the right approach, Ghana can develop a competitive squad capable of returning to the top of African football, but insists success must be built on strong foundations rather than immediate demands for trophies.
