Ghanaian musician Criss Waddle has called for the sacking of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku following the Black Stars' 4-2 defeat to The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The defeat has left Ghana without a point from its opening two Group C matches. Waddle questioned the repeated changes in the national team's coaching staff, arguing that the coaches alone cannot be blamed for Ghana's poor run of results.
The Black Stars appeared to be in control after taking a 2-0 lead through Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan, but The Gambia staged a dramatic comeback, scoring four unanswered goals to secure all three points. This result comes after an earlier 2-0 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire. The back-to-back defeats have sparked widespread criticism of the GFA and calls for changes within Ghana football.
Waddle argued that responsibility should extend beyond the technical team and called for Okraku to be held accountable for what he considers the prolonged problems surrounding the Black Stars. He pointed to the fact that the GFA has dismissed or sacked at least over 10 head coaches in the past years, yet Ghana's football trajectory hasn't changed.
Waddle's comments have sparked a wider debate about the direction of Ghana football. Several other voices have also questioned the direction of the country's football administration after the loss to The Gambia. The Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, has called for Okraku's removal and an overhaul of Ghana's football administration.
Former Ghana Football Association chairman Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has said Okraku should consider resigning if he believes he is no longer delivering the results expected. The GFA has confirmed the Black Stars' 4-2 defeat and acknowledged that the result left Ghana bottom of Group C with no points from two matches.
The calls for Okraku's sacking come amid a period of turmoil for Ghana football. The GFA has faced criticism for its handling of the national team, including the repeated changes in the coaching staff. Waddle's comments are the latest in a growing chorus of criticism of the GFA and its leadership.
The Black Stars will look to bounce back from their disappointing start to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. However, with the team's current form and the growing criticism of the GFA, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
Key points
- Criss Waddle calls for GFA President Kurt Okraku to be sacked following the Black Stars' 4-2 defeat to The Gambia.
- The Black Stars have lost their opening two Group C matches, with Waddle questioning the repeated changes in the national team's coaching staff.
- Several other voices have also called for changes within Ghana football, including the Member of Parliament for Effia and former GFA chairman Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe.
