Ghanaian football legend Abedi Ayew 'Pele' has expressed deep concern about the current state of football in the country.

His comments come in the wake of the Black Stars' failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after finishing last in Group F with just three points.

As local football struggles to garner the attention it once commanded, Pele, a three-time African Footballer of the Year and a member of the 1982 AFCON-winning Black Stars squad, highlighted the stark contrast between past successes and the current state of the game.

Speaking to Panafricafootball, Pele urged stakeholders to focus on rebuilding and improving the sport in Ghana.

“I think time changes in all and this, we are talking about three decades. So whatever it is, we shouldn’t look back; we should just look forward and work hard and achieve whatever we want to achieve,” he stated.

He emphasized that hard work and proper organization are the fundamental requirements for restoring Ghana’s football legacy.

“What it takes to be a great football team or a great football nation is to work hard and put your house into order to make sure that you get results. That is all that it takes to be a good team all over the world.”

Pele also underscored football’s role in fostering unity within the country.

“Football is one of the keys to ensure that the teams and the country are united,” he added.

With Ghana’s football at a crossroads, Pele’s words serve as a rallying call for the nation to regroup and build.