Ghana's Black Stars, once the pride of the nation, have been struggling to recapture their former glory. Veteran sports journalist Rosalind Koramah Amoh recently took to social media to express her concerns about the team's dwindling popularity. With a match against The Gambia approaching, Amoh wondered aloud about the lack of enthusiasm among fans. Her comments sparked a wider conversation about the team's decline and its disconnection from the Ghanaian people.
Between 2008 and 2017, the Black Stars enjoyed a period of relative success, participating in six consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments and reaching the semifinals each time. They also made it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup. However, over the past seven years, the team's fortunes have changed dramatically. Ghana's performance in AFCON 2021 was particularly disappointing, with the team finishing bottom of their group and failing to advance to the knockout stage.
The Black Stars' struggles continued at the 2022 World Cup, where they finished last in their group with three points. The team's AFCON 2023 campaign was also underwhelming, with Ghana failing to secure a win in three matches. The final blow came during AFCON 2025 qualifying, where Ghana finished bottom of their group and failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time in 20 years.
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. However, from 2020 to 2026, the rankings averaged around 62nd. As of July 2026, Ghana was ranked 65th globally.
Despite the decline, the Black Stars have shown some resilience in World Cup qualifying campaigns. In 2026, Ghana qualified for the World Cup with an impressive record of eight wins, one draw, and one defeat from 10 matches. The team also reached the knockout stage of the tournament, beating Panama 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with England.
The Black Stars' disconnection from their fans is a major concern. In the past, the team's training sessions were open to the public, and fans would gather to show their support. However, in recent years, access to the team has been restricted, with heavy security measures in place. While security is important, it should not come at the expense of the team's relationship with its fans.
Seven years ago, the Ghana Football Association launched the #BringBackTheLove campaign to reconnect the national team with Ghanaians. However, it appears that the team's disconnection from its fans has only grown. The quiet streets and empty spaces around training sessions are a testament to the team's declining popularity. As the Black Stars look to the future, they must find a way to rebuild their relationship with their fans and restore their former glory.
Key points
- The Black Stars' decline is reflected in their FIFA rankings, which have fallen from an average of 33rd in the world between 2008 and 2017 to around 62nd from 2020 to 2026.
- The team's disconnection from their fans is a major concern, with restricted access to training sessions and heavy security measures in place.
- Despite struggling in AFCON tournaments, the Black Stars have shown resilience in World Cup qualifying campaigns, including a successful 2026 campaign.
