The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has urged fundamental reforms in Ghana's national football teams management following the Black Stars' poor performances in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Black Stars suffered back-to-back defeats to Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia. SWAG expressed concern over the continuous decline of the Black Stars and Ghana football, citing deep-rooted systemic problems. The Association believes these problems require more than cosmetic changes.
Ghana's national teams have experienced significant struggles, including missing the 2025 AFCON for the first time in two decades. The Black Stars have started the 2027 qualifiers without a point. The junior national teams are also stagnating, and the gap between the national teams and their supporters is widening. SWAG thinks the recent coaching changes have not addressed the underlying issues. Since 2019, there have been seven coaching changes, including the departure of Carlos Queiroz.
SWAG has called for a comprehensive review of how the national teams are managed, with clear accountability at every level of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). The Association also advocates for a transparent, merit-based process for appointing the next Black Stars coach and technical team. This process should be based on competence and proven track record rather than patronage. SWAG believes this approach will help address the current challenges facing Ghana football.
The Association further recommends revitalizing the domestic league and establishing a clear pathway for developing home-grown talent from youth football to the senior national teams. SWAG thinks Ghana has reached a crossroads where sentiment must give way to competence. The current approach to managing the national teams is considered outdated and unscientific. A new approach is necessary to reverse the decline of the national teams.
SWAG's call for reforms is supported by the fact that the recent poor performances point to deep-rooted systemic problems. The Association believes that the GFA leadership must act decisively to reverse the decline of the national teams. The government is also urged to strengthen its supervision of the teams, which it funds, to protect the public interest and standards of Ghana football.
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana released a statement on Thursday, October 1, expressing its concerns over the state of Ghana football. The statement emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the national teams' management and clear accountability at every level of the GFA. SWAG also called for a transparent, merit-based process for appointing the next Black Stars coach and technical staff.
The decline of the Black Stars and Ghana football generally has significant implications for the country's football sector. SWAG's reforms aim to address the current challenges and develop a more sustainable and competitive national team. The Association's recommendations will be crucial in shaping the future of Ghana football.
Key points
- SWAG calls for a comprehensive review of the national teams' management.
- The Association advocates for a transparent, merit-based process for appointing the next Black Stars coach.
- SWAG urges the GFA leadership to act decisively to reverse the decline of the national teams.
