Former Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Duah has asserted that the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) cannot solely be attributed to the coaching staff.

The team’s dismal performance in the qualifiers left them bottom of Group F, with just three points from six matches against Angola, Sudan, and Niger.

While head coach Otto Addo and his technical team have faced heavy criticism, Duah believes the issues stem from deeper systemic problems in Ghanaian football.

Speaking to Kessben FM, he remarked:
“We’ve been apportioning blame on coaches for Black Stars' poor performances, but for me, coaches are not the problem. Do coaches play football? The situation at hand goes beyond coaching.”

The Black Stars’ uninspiring campaign marks their first failure to qualify for AFCON in 20 years, prompting nationwide disappointment.

As Ghana’s focus shifts to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the team faces crucial matches against Chad and Madagascar in March 2025.

Duah’s comments align with growing calls for a comprehensive review of the nation’s football structures, emphasizing the need for reforms to restore Ghana’s footballing dominance on the continental and global stages.