Nothing below the quarter-finals – Sports Minister raises bar for Black Stars
1st April 2026
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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.
Speaking on GhanaWeb TV, Adams said Ghana’s pedigree in African football demands more than mere participation in major tournaments.
“We must set a standard and let the players know the flag they are holding,” he said.
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.
Adams made it clear that expectations must now be non-negotiable.
“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.
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.
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.