Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah has offered critical insights on how Ghana’s senior national football team can restore its former glory. The four-time African champions have struggled to make an impact in recent major tournaments, with their last notable achievements dating back to 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in South Africa and the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2015. Since then, their performances have declined significantly, resulting in early exits in both the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as disappointing group stage finishes in the 2021 and 2023 AFCON tournaments held in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively.
During a recent session with the Parliamentary Select Committee, Appiah, who rose through the ranks from the U-17 (Black Starlets) to U-20 (Black Satellites) and U-23 (Black Meteors) teams, stressed the importance of having a comprehensive strategy to develop young talent and ensure a smooth transition to the senior squad.
“What we need is a clear plan for the Black Stars that looks beyond today and into the next decade,” Appiah remarked. “Investing in our youth is crucial; that’s where the future of the Black Stars lies. By enhancing our youth academies and training facilities, we can cultivate talent from an early age. It’s essential to create pathways for these young players to move seamlessly into the national team and hone their skills in a structured environment.”
As the Black Stars prepare for their 2025 AFCON qualifiers, they will face Sudan in two matches next month. Otto Addo’s squad will first host the Falcons on Friday, October 11, before traveling to Libya for the return leg at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Monday, October 14. Currently, the Black Stars sit in third place in Group F, having lost to Angola and drawn with Niger in their opening two matches.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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