Sports

Ghana’s Black Stars Under Fire: Ex-Midfielder Slams Team’s Poor Show in 2025 AFCONQ Loss to Sudan

Former Ghanaian international footballer, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, has expressed deep frustration following the Black Stars’ disappointing 2-0 loss to Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The defeat, which took place on Tuesday at the Martyrs of February Stadium, has left many football fans questioning the direction of the national team. Agyemang Badu, who was part of Ghana’s U-20 World Cup-winning team, did not shy away from criticizing the players and coaching staff, including head coach Otto Addo, for what he described as a lackluster performance.

The second leg of Matchday Four saw Ghana struggling to find their rhythm against Sudan. Despite a goalless first half, the game took a turn in the 62nd minute when Sudan capitalized on a defensive error by Ghana, allowing Ahmed Hamed Mahmoud to break the deadlock. Just three minutes later, Sudan doubled their lead through Mohammed Abdelrahman, leaving the Black Stars unable to mount a comeback. The defeat has added to the mounting pressure on coach Otto Addo and his technical team, as they face growing criticism for their inability to improve the team’s fortunes.

In a post-match interview, Agyemang Badu shared his candid thoughts on the state of the national team. “The national team is in a ditch; we don’t need to sugarcoat things anymore. Personally, I am tired. We have to be humble and go back to the basics,” Badu told Onua FM. His statement reflects the frustration many Ghanaians feel about the Black Stars’ consistent underperformance in recent years. According to Badu, the problems plaguing the national team extend beyond just the senior squad, affecting all levels of Ghanaian football, from the local league to the youth teams, including the U-17, U-20, U-23 teams, and even the women’s sides like the U-17 and Black Queens.

Badu pointed out that despite changing coaches six times, the same issues continue to persist within the Black Stars. He believes that certain individuals are avoiding accountability, which has led to the team’s ongoing struggles. “For the last 15 matches, the Black Stars have won only two games. People thought we would win because we created chances last week but couldn’t score. But even if we won this match, the team still isn’t good,” he added. His comments reflect a growing sense of disillusionment with the way the team is managed and the lack of improvement in recent years.

Agyemang Badu also turned his attention to the players, criticizing their inability to perform for the national team despite excelling at their respective clubs. “These are the players who perform well for their clubs, but once they come to play for Ghana, everything changes. Even simple ball control becomes difficult,” he remarked. He highlighted the defensive error that led to Sudan’s first goal as an example of poor decision-making and lack of basic football skills. “Look at the goal we conceded—two defenders and the player passes between them. I don’t know if they were trying to block the ball or what. The basic thing in football is to clear the ball,” Badu explained, lamenting the lack of passion, team spirit, and character within the squad.

Another critical point Agyemang Badu raised was the Black Stars’ inefficiency in set pieces. In recent matches, Ghana has failed to capitalize on set-piece opportunities, a key aspect of modern football. “In our last two games, we had more than 30 set pieces and didn’t convert a single one. Our open play isn’t working, individual efforts aren’t clicking, and even set pieces aren’t yielding results,” Badu stated. This inability to score from set pieces, coupled with a lack of creativity in open play, has severely limited the team’s chances of success in the ongoing qualifiers.

Currently sitting third in Group F with just two points from four games, the Black Stars are in a precarious position as they approach their final two qualifying matches. Ghana will face Niger at home before traveling to play Angola next month. Both matches are crucial, as the Black Stars need to secure maximum points to have any hope of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON tournament. However, with their current form, securing those victories seems like a daunting task.

Agyemang Badu’s harsh criticism of the Black Stars highlights the deep-rooted issues within the team. His calls for a return to the basics and greater accountability reflect the frustrations of many Ghanaians who have watched the national team struggle for consistency and success. With two crucial matches remaining in the qualifiers, coach Otto Addo and his technical team face an uphill battle to turn things around and restore the Black Stars’ reputation as one of Africa’s footballing powerhouses. However, if these underlying issues are not addressed, the team’s chances of success in the 2025 AFCON tournament and beyond may remain slim.

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