The God of football may not have smiled on Ghana in 2024. Once a dominant force to reckon with on the African continent, renowned for its talent and wealth of footballing heritage, Ghana has seen a drastic decline in its football fortunes since 2015.
After analysing the Black Stars’ performance throughout 2024, Pulse Ghana Sport highlights key events involving the national team.
FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Ghana made its FIFA World Cup debut in 2006 in Germany and has since participated in the 2010, 2014, and 2022 tournaments, missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia. The Black Stars brought global attention to Africa in the 2010 World Cup hosted in South Africa, reaching the quarterfinals—a first for the nation.
However, the 2014 and 2022 campaigns were disappointing, as the team failed to make a significant impact. In 2024, Ghana found itself in a battle to qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup.
Under the new format, countries must top their groups to secure automatic qualification. Ghana, placed in Group I, recorded two victories in 2024—a 2-1 win over Mali and a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Central African Republic. These were the only wins for the Black Stars in a challenging year.
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers
As four-time African champions, Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was a significant low point. For the first time in 20 years—and the ninth time in the nation’s history—the Black Stars failed to secure a spot in the tournament.
In the qualifiers, Ghana drew three matches and lost three, finishing without a single win. The campaign began with a loss to Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, breaking a home unbeaten streak of over 20 years. Under the management of Otto Addo, the team struggled to find form, exiting the qualification process with zero victories from six matches.
Friendly matches
The Black Stars played two international friendlies in 2024. The first was against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, where Ghana suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat. In the second match, held at Stade de Marrakech, Ghana squandered a two-goal lead, allowing Uganda to fight back for a draw.
2024 was undoubtedly a tough year for the Black Stars, with poor performances raising concerns about the team's readiness for future challenges. The road to redemption remains uncertain but critical for one of Africa's most celebrated footballing nations.
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS