Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has warned that Ghana’s recent struggles on the international stage are the result of a long-standing failure to rebuild the Black Stars following the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
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‎Speaking to Citi Sports, Vanderpuye argued that the core of the team that represented Ghana in Brazil had reached its peak, but was never properly replaced with a new generation capable of sustaining success over time.
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‎“The team we built for the 2014 World Cup had reached its peak and was now declining, so we were supposed to build a new team for the next 10–20 years,” he said.
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‎According to him, the absence of long-term planning has left Ghana struggling to remain competitive at the highest level, with the consequences now becoming increasingly evident.
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‎Vanderpuye also criticised former head coach Otto Addo, suggesting he lacked the pedigree required to lead a team of Ghana’s stature during such a crucial rebuilding phase.
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‎“Otto Addo was not even a reserve coach; he was a development coach,” he added.
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Ghana’s decline has been marked by a series of disappointing results, including failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the country’s first absence from the competition in over two decades. That setback followed a winless campaign at the previous edition and a drop to 74th in the latest FIFA rankings.
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‎With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, concerns are mounting over whether the Black Stars can recover in time to compete effectively on the global stage.
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‎Vanderpuye’s comments add to growing calls for structural reform within Ghanaian football, as stakeholders push for a clearer long-term vision to restore the national team’s former status among Africa’s elite.