Former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah, a revered figure in Ghanaian football, recently imparted valuable wisdom on how the senior national team can reclaim its former glory on the international stage. Despite being four-time African champions, the Black Stars have encountered significant challenges in major competitions over the past years.
Following their impressive quarter-final finish in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and a commendable run to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2015, the team has struggled to replicate such success. Disappointingly, they suffered premature exits in the group stages of both the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Furthermore, their performances in the 2021 and 2023 AFCON tournaments in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively, were marred by early eliminations during the group phases.
In a recent appearance before the Parliamentary Select Committee, Appiah, whose career began with the U-17 team (Black Starlets) and progressed through the ranks of the U-20 (Black Satellites) and U-23 (Black Meteors) squads, underscored the critical need for a strategy to cultivate young talent and ensure a seamless transition to the senior team. Emphasizing the importance of forward-thinking planning, Appiah stressed, “What we need is a clear plan for the Black Stars, not just for today but for the next decade.”
“We need to invest in our youth; that’s where the future of the Black Stars lies. By establishing better youth academies and training facilities, we can nurture talent from a young age. It’s essential to create pathways for these young players to transition smoothly into the national team and develop their skills in a structured environment,” he added.
Looking ahead, the Black Stars are gearing up for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, where they are scheduled to face Sudan in a crucial doubleheader next month. Under the leadership of coach Otto Addo, the team will kick off with a home play against Sudan before embarking on a challenging away trip to Libya for the return leg.
Currently positioned in third place in Group F, the Black Stars are striving to bounce back from a defeat to Angola and a draw with Niger in their initial matches. The upcoming qualifiers present a pivotal opportunity for the team to regroup, showcase their resilience, and stake their claim for a spot in the prestigious AFCON tournament.
