It is hard to accept that the Africa Cup of Nations is underway in Morocco, with the finals set for this weekend, yet Ghana is missing from the 2025 tournament. This is our first absence in about 21 years—an absence that is both painful and deeply symbolic.
Ghana, a nation celebrated for its rich football heritage and a four-time winner of the AFCON, failed to qualify for this prestigious continental competition. For a country that once set the pace in African football, our absence is a stark reminder of how far we have slipped.
A country known for its wealth of talented footballers—many of whom have brought honour to themselves, the nation, and the African continent—failing to qualify for AFCON 2025 is truly astonishing.
This reality underscores how football has come of age: countries, regardless of size, now recognize its value and the opportunities it offers, and are investing heavily in the game. In modern football, no country is truly small.
Nations have come to understand that football is one of the most effective ways to market themselves on the global stage, and as a result, both big and small countries are investing in the sport and playing impressive football.
The tournament began in grand style, with Morocco putting its culture proudly on display. The opening ceremony was colorful, well-coordinated, and deeply rooted in Moroccan tradition—exactly what AFCON represents: football blended with African identity and culture.
Yet, as I walked through parts of my neighborhood, I noticed something disturbing. Most pubs were tuned to the English Premier League rather than watching the AFCON. It was hard to comprehend how interest in Africa’s most prestigious football tournament could evaporate so completely—simply because Ghana did not qualify, which l understood perfectly.
I recall the 1980s and mid-1990s, when AFCON discussions on GTV were intellectual feasts. Panel discussions featuring late Edward Fiaakye, Dr Kweku Ofosu-Asare, and Moses Foh-Amoaning, hosted by the legendary Kwabena Yeboah, represented the golden age of sports broadcasting in Ghana. Their analyses were deep, thoughtful, and educational, drawing viewers closer to the game. Homes, bars, and streets came alive during AFCON matches. Those were truly the halcyon days of African football appreciation in Ghana.
Today, the silence is deafening because Ghana did not qualify for the tournament. There are no heated arguments on the streets, no passionate debates in public spaces—no visible signs that AFCON is even happening. The patronage among Ghanaians is very low, but there are some good footballs displayed out there in Morocco, which is very exciting to watch.
In a conversation with Emmanuel, a football fanatic, he expressed deep disappointment over Ghana’s failure to qualify. However, he noted that there was little to be done now except to reflect, rebuild, and put proper structures in place to ensure qualification in future tournaments. He admitted that the lack of interest was expected since Ghana is absent but added that he would support Morocco, whose football federation has done many things right in recent years.
According to him, Morocco’s progress provides valuable lessons Ghana should study and replicate. He noted that the tournament showcased exciting, high-quality football, reflecting the strong work most federations have done some good work on their football structure by putting in good measures to see their teams grow.
Freda, on the other hand, was visibly upset and placed the blame squarely on the Ghana Football Association. In her view, the GFA appears overly fixated on World Cup qualification while neglecting other important competitions.
Outside World Cup qualifiers, she argued, there is little evidence of structured planning or sustained interest in other tournaments. Despite claims of heavy investment in local football, the results tell a different story. She emphasized the urgent need to take grassroots and juvenile football seriously if Ghana hopes to secure long-term success. Sadly, the decline is not limited to football administration alone.
Anthony was deeply unhappy about Ghana’s failure to qualify for AFCON. According to him, the signs were already there long before the final blow. He believes the team’s decline in recent tournaments made this outcome inevitable.
“Our last appearance was our worst performance yet,” he said. “We couldn’t even make it out of the group stage. The performance was abysmal—as if there was no coach or technical team in charge. Everything about the team was terrible.”
For Anthony, Ghana’s absence from AFCON is therefore no surprise. He insists the country must do much more to reverse the decline. In his view, the current Ghana Football Association lacks a clear and workable blueprint for development.
“The GFA must develop a concrete plan and follow it to the letter,” he stressed. “Otherwise, we can forget about progress. We are very good at talking, but our actions consistently fall far below expectations.” Look at how countries and their national teams we believe we are ahead of them in terms of football showcasing some quality play at the tournament.
Francis expressed deep dissatisfaction with the current state of sports broadcasting, though he commended some journalists for their efforts in articulating key issues. He said the sector has declined significantly, with the airwaves now dominated by loud, incoherent voices whose influence comes from noise rather than knowledge.
According to him, some sports broadcasters no longer prioritise intellect, research, or thoughtful analysis but instead rewards empty, high-volume commentary with little substance. He also criticised some broadcasters for openly siding with the GFA instead of maintaining an independent, critical stance to examine its shortcomings and how it can be reformed.
Prince said the decline of the Black Stars became evident two AFCON tournaments ago, when the team recorded one of the worst performances in its history. “I’m not surprised at all,” he noted. “Everything about the Black Stars is deteriorating, and the way the team is being managed does not help.”
He added that now that football has become a gold mine, the Black Stars appear to be moving backward. According to him, the national team can only thrive when the local league is strong, well-managed, and doing well.
Dave expressed deep concern about the state of football, noting that it has declined so badly that we fail to qualify for AFCON. He lamented the disappearance of juvenile football, recalling the days when people thronged Sahara Park to watch youth matches—full of excitement, debates, and passion. Today, he cannot even remember the last time he visited the park to watch the juvenile game.
According to him, the unchecked activities of scouting agencies have drained the country of its young talent, with promising players shipped abroad at an early age. This raises a critical question: Where do we now rebuild from? Dave believes Ghanaian football urgently needs a complete overhaul to get back on track, warning that if nothing is done, the worst is yet to come.
Nicholas Laryea described the situation as bizarre, questioning how Ghanaian sports panels can spend hours on local television discussing foreign leagues. He called it a form of mental slavery, asking how local football can grow when attention is fixed on leagues abroad.
According to him, colts football—the foundation of the national team—is virtually dead. He recalled the days when parks like Hearts Park and Sahara Park were vibrant with exciting youth football, a sight that has now disappeared.
Mr. Laryea lamented that private individuals have taken over youth development through academies, selling young talents abroad while the nation looks on helplessly.
Meanwhile, very little airtime is devoted to the local league, a situation he described as dangerous. Ironically, he noted, some of the same people who neglect the domestic game are quick to criticise the GFA for failing to use media platforms to promote it. He urged stakeholders to take a hard and honest look at this trend, warning that failure to act could lead to the total collapse of Ghana’s leagues.
Tilly said she was not surprised, noting that very little attention is given to the local leagues. She observed that the situation is made to appear as though only foreign leagues matter in Ghana, with many radio and television stations devoting most of their airtime to them. She questioned how the local league can improve under such conditions.
She added that after watching a few matches from the tournament, it is clear that African football has greatly improved with exciting, high-quality performances. From the level of play on display, she believes it is only a matter of time before an African team wins the World Cup or may be the next World Cup be won by an African team.
AFCON remains a symbol of Africa’s pride, yet Ghana’s absence—from the pitch, public interest, and meaningful football conversations—should be a cause for serious concern. If we do not confront these challenges honestly, we risk allowing our proud football heritage to fade into memory.
Urgent steps are needed to revive and reposition our local game. We must deliberately promote Ghanaian football by returning to the stadiums, paying to watch matches, and showing genuine support for our teams.
This support will enable clubs to generate the revenue needed to sustain their activities. Football has always been one of the few forces that truly unites us as a nation; it is time to restore that love by standing firmly behind our local, juvenile, and grassroots football. That is the only way we can bring back the love for our local league.
Fiifi Nettey Media Consultant Accra.
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