Black Stars: A 2024 to forget, a future to rebuild

So, the year 2024 is finally coming to an end. For casual followers of the Black Stars, this is a year they would want to forget in a hurry.

Disappointment became a norm as the team struggled to win games, lost out on a competition for the first time in two decades, and set unwanted records along the way.

While Ghanaians wait the verdict on Otto Addo’s second tenure by the Ghana Football Association, here’s a look at key dates of the team’s struggles.

January 22: Shocking exit from AFCON

The Black Stars entered January with a point to prove. They had exited the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in the most disgraceful fashion and were looking to avoid a repeat.

At the helm was Chris Hughton, a man with Premier League experience, helped by the likes of Andre Ayew, Mohammed Kudus and a host of stars.

They lost to Cape Verde in the first game, drew with Egypt on the second day and in their last game against Mozambique, Jordan Ayew’s double from the spot were cancelled out by two late goals, all stemming from shocking mistakes to ensure Ghana’s exit from the competition for a consecutive time.

Journalists expressed dissatisfaction, booing players at the mixed zone, and the Ghana Football Association acted hours later, firing Hughton.

September 5: First Baba Yara loss in 24 years 

There was a relatively positive buzz around the time as Otto Addo had led the team to back-to-back victories in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and Central African Republic.

With the knowledge that the team hadn’t tasted defeat at the Baba Yara Sports stadium since 2000, a positive result was expected against Angola.

But that wasn’t to be as a late error led to a 1-0 defeat for Ghana. A key conversation on the game centered on the state of the pitch.

September 11: Baba Yara banned by CAF

Days after Ghana’s Angola defeat, the Confederation of African Football acted, withdrawing their approval of the venue for Black Stars calibre matches.

There were rumors of the team moving to Togo, Ivory Coast or Nigeria to play home matches.

For weeks, the National Sports Authority and the Sports Ministry scrambled to get a venue ready. Eventually, they did, renovate the Accra Sports stadium.

October 15: Appiah’s Sudan school Ghana

That week in particular was a really eventful one. Thomas Partey had withdrawn from the squad, with the GFA stating that he was unwell. Mohammed Kudus was given the armband.

Shortly afterwards, the body released a video of GFA President Kurt Okraku giving the players a dressing down at dinner time, splitting opinions on social media. The Black Stars were under pressure to respond, and they did, just not the way many expected.

After drawing the first leg against Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan 0-0, they were undone in Libya, losing 2-0. That result meant that Appiah, who was let go by Kurt earlier in his tenure had nicked four points off a team he once captained and coached, and was inching closer to AFCON qualification at the expense of Ghana.

November 15: Fears of many become reality

It was a do-or-die night for the four-time AFCON winners. Otto Addo famously stated that he excluded Partey from the squad despite the player’s willingness to join, and proceeded to appoint Jordan Ayew as captain, relegating Kudus to one of his vice-captains.

Also, eight players subsequently withdrew from the squad for various reasons.

They needed a win against Angola to stay alive and their cause was boosted by Niger’s big win over Sudan. Ghana started well with Jordan rifling his free kick into the net from long range in the first half. Manaf Nurudeen proceeded to save a penalty. It looked like the stars were aligning.

Or so the fans thought. Angola came back in the second half, ending the game in a 1-1 draw. That result, meant the team had failed to qualify for the AFCON for the first time since 2004.

November 18: Niger add insult to injury

A day before, Otto Addo had incensed the media and fans on social media with his famous, “I trained under Klopp” remark. He had just one job now, to win the final game and give fans some hope that things would get better

That, shockingly, did not happen. Niger scored, Ghana equalized. Niger scored again but Mohammed Kudus missed a late penalty resulting in Ghana failing to win a single game in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

The post-match conference was a battleground, with a certain journalist questioning Otto Addo’s credentials as a coach, suggesting that he is better suited to being a scout.

December 19: Dropped to 77th on FIFA rankings

The Black Stars are now at their lowest in the FIFA rankings since 23rd March 2005 where they found themselves in 79th.

In total, the Black Stars played 14 matches in 2024 but managed just three wins, two of which came in official competitions. Their best FIFA ranking this year was 67th in February, but they have since experienced a steady decline.

No decision has been made on head coach Otto Addo yet despite the Executive Council conducting two separate meetings on the matter.

The next task will be the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March and Ghanaians will keep an eye on events before and after it.

The post Black Stars: A 2024 to forget, a future to rebuild first appeared on 3News.

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