Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey has expressed concerns that the people surrounding Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku are not helping him build a positive legacy. Lamptey's comments come amid growing scrutiny of the GFA following Ghana's poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign. The Black Stars, Ghana's national team, have lost their first two matches in Group C.
Ghana's poor performance has left the team without a point from their opening two matches, making it difficult to qualify for the tournament after missing the 2025 edition. The Black Stars opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Ivory Coast before suffering another setback against The Gambia, losing 4-2 at the Accra Sports Stadium. This has put pressure on the GFA and coach Carlos Queiroz, who left his position as Black Stars head coach by mutual agreement.
Lamptey, who won 38 caps for Ghana and represented the country at the 1992 Olympic Games, believes Okraku's position has been made more difficult by those around him. He stated that Okraku has created enemies for himself, and those enemies want his downfall. Lamptey also warned that divisions surrounding the GFA president are affecting the wider administration of Ghanaian football.
According to Lamptey, until Okraku realizes that he needs to change many things, many things will go against him. Everyone is complaining, and the divisions are affecting the work that Okraku is doing. Lamptey's comments come at a turbulent time for the Black Stars, with the GFA facing increased pressure over the team's recent performances and direction.
The GFA is now searching for a new coach to revive Ghana's AFCON qualifying campaign. The Black Stars' next assignment is a double-header against Somalia in October, with both matches scheduled to be played at the Accra Sports Stadium. Ghana will need to win both games to improve their position in Group C and boost their hopes of returning to the continental tournament.
Lamptey's concerns about the people surrounding Okraku highlight the challenges facing Ghanaian football. The team's poor performance has led to increased scrutiny of the GFA and calls for change. Okraku's leadership and the team's future are uncertain, and the GFA must address these concerns to restore confidence in Ghanaian football.
The search for a new coach and efforts to revive the team's performance will be crucial in determining the future of Ghanaian football. The GFA must work to address the divisions and concerns surrounding Okraku and the team to move forward. The team's next matches against Somalia will be important in determining their chances of qualifying for the AFCON.
Key points
- Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey criticizes people surrounding GFA president Kurt Okraku
- Ghana's poor start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign has put pressure on the GFA
- The GFA is searching for a new coach to revive Ghana's AFCON qualifying campaign
