GFA Apologizes for Black Stars’ AFCON 2025 Qualifying Failure, Outlines Plans for Reform
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has issued an apology to Ghanaians following the Black Stars’ inability to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Describing the outcome as a significant disappointment, the GFA acknowledged the frustration of fans and took responsibility for the team’s poor performance, which fell short of the nation’s high expectations.
In the statement, the GFA expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ghanaian football fans for their unwavering support throughout the qualifiers. Despite the team’s struggles, the passion and dedication of supporters have been a source of encouragement, and the association pledged to work towards regaining their trust.
As part of immediate steps to address the situation, the GFA announced the dissolution of the Black Stars’ Management Committee, thanking its members for their service over the years.This decision marks the beginning of a restructuring process aimed at revitalizing the team’s administration.
Additionally, Black Stars Head Coach Otto Addo is set to meet with the GFA Executive Council on November 27, 2024, to present his technical report on the qualifiers. This meeting will also assess the overall performance of the technical team since Addo’s appointment earlier this year.
In a broader effort to tackle systemic challenges and rebuild confidence, the GFA has unveiled plans to hold a Ghana Football Retreat on November 28, 2024.
The retreat, to be held at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence, will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the future of Ghanaian football. The event will include representatives from sports organizations, former players, coaches, traditional leaders, sports enthusiasts, and professionals from various fields, alongside officials from the Ministries of Sports, Finance, and Education.
The retreat aims to gather diverse perspectives on addressing the current issues facing Ghanaian football and will focus on developing a comprehensive roadmap to enhance the performance of the Black Stars and other national teams.
The insights and recommendations from the retreat will serve as a foundation for long-term reforms to restore Ghana’s reputation as a footballing powerhouse.
The GFA reassured fans of its commitment to making the necessary changes to improve the national team’s fortunes.
While acknowledging the disappointment of missing out on AFCON 2025, the association expressed optimism about the future, urging Ghanaians to remain patient and supportive as they work towards rebuilding the Black Stars.