C.K Akonnor calls for structural reset of Ghana Football to address decline

Former Black Stars coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor, has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to implement a comprehensive structural reset of the country's national teams in an effort to reverse the recent decline of Ghanaian football.

Akonnor's call for change comes after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the first time in 20 years that Ghana will miss the prestigious tournament.

This failure has sparked a national debate about the state of the country’s football, with the underperformance of national teams over recent years becoming a major concern.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Akonnor, who managed the Black Stars from 2019 to 2021, emphasized the need for a long-term, strategic plan to rejuvenate Ghanaian football, particularly focusing on youth development.

“We need to have a plan that goes beyond profitability. We need to focus on youth football,” Akonnor stated. “If we don’t do it now, we are already late. We have to look at our Under-17, Under-20, the Black Stars B, and then the senior national team.”

The Black Stars' failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 was sealed after a 1-1 draw with Angola, eliminating them from contention.

This is the third consecutive AFCON campaign in which Ghana has underperformed, following disappointing group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023.

Despite the Black Stars winning gold at the African Games in March, the country's youth teams, including the Black Starlets and Black Satellites, have also struggled to make an impact on the international stage.

Reflecting on the challenges facing Ghanaian football, Akonnor highlighted the success of previous generations and the importance of returning to the grassroots approach that nurtured some of the country's greatest footballing talents.

He referenced legendary players like Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, and Laryea Kingston, stressing the need for similar cohesion and progression at the youth level.

“If we don’t start strategizing properly, we’ll continue to talk about the decline of Ghana football, just like we are doing now.

Where did the Asamoah Gyans, the Stephen Appiahs, and the Laryea Kingstons come from?” Akonnor asked. “From the Under-17.

Laryea Kingston and Godwin Attram knew each other and had been playing together since they were 10 years old. That’s how you build cohesion and progression, and when the country needed them, they delivered.”

Akonnor's call for a restructuring of Ghana's football system resonates with growing concerns that without significant reforms, the future of the country's football remains uncertain.

The Black Stars will conclude their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign with a match against Niger on Monday, but with qualification already out of reach, the game will have no impact on the outcome of Group F.