Frequent changes of coaches has affected Black Stars - Ibrahim Sannie Daara
Ibrahim Sannie Daara
CAF Senior Media Officer Ibrahim Sannie Daara has attributed the recent difficulties faced by Ghana’s Black Stars to the frequent changes in coaching staff.
Read full articleSince Kurt Okraku took over, the national team has seen five different head coaches. CK Akonnor replaced Kwesi Appiah but was soon succeeded by Milovan Rajevac.
Following a disappointing performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, Rajevac was let go, and Otto Addo stepped in on an interim basis for the World Cup playoffs against Nigeria.
Addo successfully guided the Black Stars to World Cup qualification in Qatar but resigned after the team’s early exit from the tournament.
Chris Hughton, who had been the technical advisor, then became head coach but was dismissed after another group-stage exit at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
In March, the Ghana Football Association reappointed Otto Addo with a 34-month contract. Sannie Daara, who previously served as the Communications Director for the Ghana Football Association, believes that these coaching changes have negatively impacted the team's performance and stability.
He noted, "The Black Stars qualified for the World Cup with a young squad, and the momentum should have been maintained despite the World Cup exit, but we failed to do so. The constant coaching changes have hurt the team's confidence."
Daara calls for patience as Otto Addo works to develop a strong team capable of competing effectively.
He remarked, "Currently, the team struggles even against weaker opponents. The technical staff is in the process of building a young team, so we need to be patient."
The Black Stars are currently third in Group F with only two points from four matches and will face Angola and Niger in their final AFCON 2025 qualifiers, starting with a match in Luanda on November 15, followed by a home game against Niger three days later.
