The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to face scrutiny from Parliament over the state of football in the country following the Black Stars' disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Chairman of Parliament's Select Committee on Youth and Sports, Ernest Henry Norgbey, confirmed that the committee will engage the GFA amid growing concerns over Ghana football's state. The Black Stars have lost their opening two Group C matches, failing to pick up a point.
Ghana's poor performance began with a 2-0 defeat by Côte d'Ivoire last Thursday, followed by a 4-2 loss to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday. Despite taking a two-goal lead, Ghana surrendered their advantage in the second half, allowing The Gambia to score four times and complete a remarkable comeback. This result intensified criticism of the national team's performances and increased pressure on coach Carlos Queiroz and the GFA's management of the Black Stars.
The losses have raised concerns about the state of Ghana football, prompting Parliament to take action. Norgbey, also the Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, stated that the committee would summon the football governing body to discuss wider concerns surrounding Ghana's sporting fortunes. In an interview with Akoma FM, he emphasized the need for the committee to investigate the deteriorating state of Ghana sports.
The Black Stars' struggles have significant implications for their AFCON qualification hopes. With only a few matches remaining, Ghana must improve significantly in their Group C fixtures to stay in contention. The team is scheduled to face Somalia twice in October, providing an opportunity to revive their qualifying campaign. A strong performance in these matches is crucial to keeping their hopes alive.
The pressure on the GFA and coach Carlos Queiroz has increased following the team's poor start. The Black Stars are seeking a return to the AFCON after failing to qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco, which ended a run of over two decades of consecutive appearances at the competition. The team's performance has been under scrutiny, with many questioning the GFA's management and the coach's tactics.
The parliamentary committee's engagement with the GFA is expected to shed light on the challenges facing Ghana football. The committee will likely discuss issues such as funding, infrastructure, and talent development, as well as the GFA's strategy for improving the national team's performance. This inquiry may lead to recommendations for reforms and improvements in Ghana football.
The Black Stars' upcoming matches against Somalia will be crucial in determining their AFCON qualification prospects. A positive result in these matches could help revitalize the team's campaign and ease pressure on the GFA and coach Queiroz. However, another poor performance could exacerbate the crisis and lead to further scrutiny of the team's management and the GFA's leadership.
Key points
- The Ghana Football Association will be summoned by Parliament's Select Committee on Youth and Sports to discuss the state of football in the country.
- The Black Stars have lost their opening two Group C matches, failing to pick up a point in their bid to qualify for the 2027 AFCON.
- Ghana face Somalia twice in October, with the matches providing an opportunity to revive their qualifying campaign.
