Dear Ghanaians,
My brothers and sisters, I humbly ask you to take a few moments to read this piece and reflect on its message.
I am deeply saddened by the performance of the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the manner in which they exited the tournament. Equally troubling is the response of the government, the Minister for Sports, and the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) regarding the foreign coach who was presented as the experienced saviour of the national team after its earlier disappointing performances.
As I searched for reasons behind the decline of Ghana football and the poor showing of the Black Stars, I decided to examine the issue from two perspectives. First, I looked at the background of the coach of one of Africa’s most successful teams at the World Cup. Second, I examined how the leader of another nation reacted after his country’s disappointing campaign.
The Moroccan Example
Morocco has emerged as the most successful African national team in recent World Cup history. I therefore examined the profile of the coach who led them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mohamed Ouahbi, a 49-year-old Belgian-Moroccan, was appointed head coach of Morocco after his predecessor, Walid Regragui, stepped down following Morocco’s historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Before Regragui, Morocco had dismissed foreign coach Vahid Halilhodžić.
Interestingly, Mohamed Ouahbi never enjoyed a professional playing career. Instead, he spent 17 years developing young players as a youth coach at Anderlecht in Belgium before obtaining his UEFA Pro Licence in 2018. In 2022, he was appointed head coach of Morocco’s Under-20 national team. He went on to make history by leading Morocco to victory at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, defeating Argentina in the final.
His remarkable success earned him promotion to the Under-23 team before he was eventually appointed head coach of the senior national team on 5 March 2026—barely three months before the World Cup. He assumed one of Africa’s biggest coaching roles without having managed a top-flight club or a senior national team.
Questions Worth Asking
This raises several important questions.
Who was the coach when Ghana became the first African nation to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009? Where is that coach today? Who captained that historic Black Satellites team?
Ghana appointed the internationally renowned Carlos Queiroz as head coach on 13 April 2026, around the same period Morocco appointed Mohamed Ouahbi.
Should we not compare the performances of these two teams under coaches who took charge at almost the same time—one celebrated for his international experience and the other relatively unknown at senior level?
Why was Coach Queiroz absent when the Black Stars played the crucial international friendly against Mexico on 22 May as part of their World Cup preparations?
Why are the Minister for Sports and the GFA President already discussing extending the contract of the foreign coach—or hiring yet another foreign coach—without giving capable Ghanaian coaches the opportunity to serve their nation with patriotism and pride?
A Lesson from South Korea
South Korea’s disappointing group-stage exit from the 2026 World Cup triggered widespread public concern.
According to reports, President Lee Jae Myung responded by calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the team’s failure. He reportedly stated:
“Given that significant taxpayers’ funds and state resources are invested in World Cup participation, I ask that the precise circumstances surrounding this incident be thoroughly investigated. After such a crushing blow, we cannot simply return to business as usual.”
He further stated:”When favouritism and cronyism take precedence over competence in selecting a commander, the result is as predictable as fire burning paper”.
Whether one agrees with every aspect of his statement or not, it reflects a leadership style that demands accountability when national expectations are not met.
My Appeal to President Mahama
Mr. President, the challenges confronting Ghana football are too serious to ignore. I therefore respectfully submit the following suggestions:
1. Do not extend the current foreign coach’s contract, or terminate it if necessary.
2. Review the performance of the Minister for Sports and the leadership of the Ghana Football Association and take appropriate action where necessary.
3. Consider whether changes in the leadership of the Black Stars, including the captaincy, are in the team’s best long-term interest.
4. Commission an independent investigation into the administration of the Ministry of Sports and the Ghana Football Association.
The decline of Ghana football demands bold leadership, urgent reforms, and a comprehensive reset.
I also respectfully recommend that the President consult experienced sports journalists, including:
• Kwabena Yeboah
• Dan Kweku Yeboah
• Saddick Adams
• Patrick Osei Agyemang
In addition, I believe valuable insights can be obtained from respected football administrators such as Togbe Afede XIV, Alhaji Grusah, Kwesi Nyantakyi, and Nii Lante Vanderpuye.
The expertise of accomplished Ghanaian coaches—including Sellas Tetteh, Akwasi Appiah, Orlando Wellington, and Laryea Kingston—should also be sought.
Finally, conversations with legendary former Black Stars players such as Osei Kofi, Mohammed Polo, Abdul Razak, Abedi Ayew “Pele”, Anthony Yeboah, Tony Baffoe, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, and Sulley Muntari would provide invaluable perspectives.
A committee made up of selected individuals from these groups could help identify the root causes of Ghana football’s decline and propose practical, long-term solutions.
Mr. President, the Ghanaian people have entrusted you with the responsibility to safeguard our national institutions. I respectfully urge you to use that mandate to halt the decline in Ghana football, restore accountability, and rebuild a system that every Ghanaian can once again be proud of.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
