Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has called for a reset in expectations surrounding the Ghana national football team, insisting the team must consistently meet the high standards set by the country’s football history.
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‎Speaking on GhanaWeb TV, Adams said Ghana’s pedigree in African football demands more than mere participation in major tournaments.
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‎“We must set a standard and let the players know the flag they are holding,” he said.
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His comments come amid growing concern over a dip in form, including Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, their first absence in more than 20 years and successive group-stage exits in recent editions.
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‎Adams made it clear that expectations must now be non-negotiable.
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“Considering our name and pedigree, anything below the quarter-finals means it would have been better if we hadn’t gone. For AFCON, anything below the quarter-final stage is unacceptable,” he stated.
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‎The remarks follow a turbulent period for the national team, including the dismissal of Otto Addo after a poor run of results. Attention has now turned to rebuilding the squad and appointing a new head coach capable of restoring confidence and competitiveness.
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‎Ghana will next compete at the 2026 World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama. With qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON yet to begin, Adams’ message signals a clear shift in tone, that only strong performances and deep tournament runs will be deemed acceptable moving forward.