The Black Stars, Ghana's national football team, have been experiencing a worrying trend of decline over the past seven years. Despite their past successes, including six consecutive AFCON tournament appearances and a World Cup quarter-final in 2010, the team's performance has been inconsistent. The decline is evident in their recent performances, including a disappointing AFCON 2021 campaign where they finished bottom of their group and suffered their first AFCON group-stage elimination since 2006.
The team's struggles continued in the 2022 World Cup, where they finished bottom of their group with three points, scoring three goals and conceding seven. In AFCON 2023, Ghana qualified but again failed to make an impact, drawing two matches and losing one, with no victories in three games. The team's poor performance culminated in failing to qualify for AFCON 2025, finishing bottom of their group with six matches, zero wins, three draws, and three defeats.
The decline in the Black Stars' performance is also reflected in Ghana's FIFA rankings. Between 2008 and 2017, Ghana's year-end rankings averaged around 33rd in the world, reaching as high as 14th and ending 2010 ranked 16th. However, from 2020 to 2026, the year-end rankings averaged about 62nd, with Ghana ending 2024 at 77th and 2025 at 72nd. The latest official ranking in July 2026 placed Ghana 65th.
Despite the decline in performance, Ghana still knows how to qualify for the World Cup. The 2026 qualifying campaign was excellent, with eight wins, one draw, and one defeat from 10 matches, earning 25 points and top spot in Group I. Ghana qualified for a fifth World Cup and reached the knockout stage, beating Panama 1-0, drawing 0-0 with England, and losing 2-1 to Croatia, before losing 1-0 to Colombia in the round of 32.
The decline of the Black Stars has also led to a disconnection between the team and its supporters. The emotional connection that once existed between the team and the people has weakened. The streets around training sessions are now empty, and the anticipation for matches has decreased. This disconnection is a concern, as the team's performance is closely tied to the support of its fans.
In an effort to reconnect the national team with Ghanaians, the Ghana Football Association launched #BringBackTheLove seven years ago. However, it appears that the initiative has not been successful, and the team's security has become heavier, with restricted access to training sessions and matches. While security is important, it should not separate the team from the people it represents.
The Black Stars' decline is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive solution. The team's inconsistent performance, decline in FIFA rankings, and disconnection from supporters are all concerns that need to be addressed. The team's management and the Ghana Football Association must work together to find a solution to restore the team's former glory and reconnect with its fans.
Key points
- The Black Stars' decline in performance and fan connection over the past seven years is a concern for Ghanaian football.
- The team's inconsistent performance in recent tournaments, including AFCON and the World Cup, has contributed to the decline.
- The disconnection between the team and its supporters is a major issue that needs to be addressed to restore the team's former glory.
