Ernest Thompson, a former Management Committee Member of the Black Stars, has called Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) “extremely embarrassing.”
The 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco from December 23, 2025, to January 18, 2026, marking the first time since 1988 that the country will host the prestigious tournament. A total of 24 nations will compete, with Côte d’Ivoire as the defending champions.
Ghana’s qualification campaign ended in disappointment, with the Black Stars finishing bottom of Group F, failing to win any of their six matches.
The team’s struggles included a loss to Angola in Kumasi, a goalless draw with Sudan, and a defeat to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium. The absence of home victories marked a significant low for a once-dominant force in African football.
“Simply put, the situation we find ourselves in is extremely embarrassing. Of course, we’ve missed the AFCON about six times. I remember when Rwanda took us off [in 2003] and we couldn’t go to one [in 2004], but this is extremely embarrassing for a lot of reasons, none the least being the fact that the team itself is not playing well,” JoySports Link on Joy FM.
He called for swift and decisive action to tackle the issues affecting the Black Stars, warning that inaction could lead to long-term consequences.
While he expressed optimism about the possibility of recovery, he emphasized that it hinges on the decisions made at this crucial moment.
“What is important for now is that we need cool heads and to take drastic decisions. If we don’t have the leaders to take the drastic decisions, we will just tingle with things and we will be where we are.
“There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but it depends on what decisions we take now because what I hear talking to them is extremely frightening. Unfortunately, my good friends at the FA; those at the top have brought something upon themselves, and if they don’t take care, the fire will engulf them.”
