Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku is under mounting pressure to resign following the Black Stars' disappointing performances in their opening two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast and a 4-2 loss to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. These results have intensified scrutiny of Ghana football's leadership, with several politicians and former sports administrators calling for significant changes.
The latest defeat has sparked widespread criticism, with angry supporters confronting Okraku after the match. Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George has renewed his call for the Black Stars and GFA to be disbanded, suggesting that Ghana football needs a complete overhaul. He expressed his willingness to accept a two-year ban from FIFA if it would allow the team to be properly rebuilt.
Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, also called for the dissolution of the GFA and changes to the wider structure of Ghana football. He advocated for a return to a grassroots-focused football structure, where sports are developed at the district, regional, and national levels. Boamah-Nyarko believes that this approach would help Ghana build a stronger football foundation.
Former National Sports Authority board chairman Seth Panwum has also urged Okraku to step down, citing the significant setback the team's performance represents. Panwum argued that the result reflects a worrying decline in the standards of the national team and that Okraku's resignation would provide an opportunity for new leadership and a comprehensive process of rebuilding, reform, and restoration.
The back-to-back defeats have left Ghana without a point from their opening two Group C matches, increasing pressure on head coach Carlos Queiroz and his players. The Black Stars will look to revive their qualification campaign in October when they face Somalia in a double-header at the Accra Sports Stadium. Ghana is seeking a return to the continental tournament after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
The growing criticism of Okraku and the GFA has come from various stakeholders, including politicians and former sports administrators. They argue that the current approach is not working and that significant changes are needed to restore Ghana football to its former glory. The team's poor performance has also raised concerns about the state of football in Ghana and the need for a new approach.
The Black Stars' next matches against Somalia in October will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON. The team's performance will also likely impact the future of Okraku and the GFA, with many calling for significant changes to be made. The pressure on Okraku and the team will continue to build as the qualification campaign progresses.
Key points
- Calls are growing for Kurt Okraku to resign as GFA president following the Black Stars' poor start to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
- The Black Stars' back-to-back defeats have left them without a point from their opening two Group C matches.
- Ghana's next matches against Somalia in October will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON.
