Black Stars team manager, Ameenu Shardow, has defended the team’s performances despite their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Shardow believes that the team’s performances, particularly in the opening match against Angola, were better than the final results indicated, and that Ghana’s failure to qualify doesn’t reflect the true quality of their play throughout the qualifiers.
In an interview on Happy FM following Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Niger, which confirmed their exclusion from the tournament, Shardow emphasized that the Black Stars’ overall performances were strong, even though the results were disappointing.
He pointed out that in the opening match against Angola, the team outplayed their opponents and deserved a better outcome. “If you pipe down the emotions and analyze the game, you’ll see that we performed well. We were unfortunate in the result,” Shardow explained.
He added that, if the team’s performances in all the matches were considered, Ghana should have topped their group.
“Our first game against Angola – did anything suggest we deserved to lose? If we’re honest and factual, we outplayed Angola,” he said.
Shardow also stressed that the team’s efforts were not reflected in the final group standings, urging critics to look beyond the outcomes and appreciate the team’s actual play.
His comments come amid significant criticism of Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, who has faced backlash for the team’s failure to secure qualification for next year’s AFCON.
Addo, deeply affected by the outcome, admitted feeling the disappointment not only of the fans but also from his own family. He acknowledged the team’s struggles but insisted that the Black Stars still had potential.
Shardow remains optimistic about the future of the Black Stars, citing their strong performances in various games as a sign that the team can bounce back and achieve success in future competitions.
He called for a focus on building on these performances and ensuring better results in the upcoming qualifiers.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council is set to meet on Wednesday to discuss the team’s overall performance in the AFCON qualifiers and address future strategies, including the direction of the coaching staff and team development.
