Ghana, which previously established itself as a powerhouse of football in Africa and one of the most recognized from the continent on the global stage, are now in a downward spiral.

In those heights of glory, histories were made, records were equalled or broken, astonishing moments were realized and ultimately trophies were won.

But there seems to be a bad turn of events in recent years, with the senior national team, the Black Stars struggling to better or at least equal the output that put the country on the African map since the 60s.

Black Stars’ output at AFCON from 2012-22

The Black Stars, who are four-time champions of Africa, have featured in six Africa Cup of Nations since 2012. Ghana played 31 matches, won 14, drew 5, and suffered 12 losses with an overall win percentage of 45.16% representing less than half of total games played.

It is somewhat clear that from 2012 to 2017, that is the first four editions within the 10-year period [barring 2023 where there was no AFCON] under review, Ghana performed above average, anything from 50% up, with the highest win percentage of 66.67% attained in the 2015 edition when Ghana won 4 of the 6 games and emerged finalist, eventually losing on penalties to the Ivory Coast.

Within the aforementioned year period, the Black Stars were constantly reaching the semi-finals. The trend after 2017, tells a different story.

After the continental showpiece in Gabon in 2017, the Black Stars’ performance dwindled drastically, with the team failing to reach even the last eight of subsequent competitions and with a reduced win percentage – 25% and 0% respectively from the subsequent two editions.

The Ghanaian team was knocked out of the Round of 16 by Tunisia in 2019, having won one match, and drawing two before being booted out of the group stages in the 2022 edition after failing to record even a single win and suffering two defeats.

The Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports hope for a change in narrative under head coach Chris Hughton.

The English-born manager will lead the Black Stars at the ongoing continental event in Ivory Coast with the quest of winning the title for the first time since 1982.

"I would like to think Ghana [are among favourites] because we are next door. We will bring good support. It's a long time since we won," Hughton said ahead of the tournament.

Ghana is drawn in Group C against Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.

The senior national team kickoff their campaign against Cape Verde on Sunday at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan (20:00GMT).