A former GFA Spokesperson and CAF Media Officer, Ibrahim Saanie Daara, has described the Black Stars’ AFCON 2025 qualification campaign as lacklustre and disorganised.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on November 18, he dissected the team’s failings, pointing out that the entire football ecosystem—from players to management—failed to deliver.

“Our campaign was wishy-washy,” the former BBC sports presenter stated bluntly.

“At a time when other teams were well-prepared, we were juggling issues like where to play our matches, the state of our pitches, and dealing with last-minute challenges.”

Saanie Daara highlighted how recurring player absences disrupted the team.

“In the last match alone, eight players pulled out. While injuries and personal reasons are understandable, it reflects deeper issues in how the team is managed,” he said.

He also criticised the performance of the team’s coach and management.

“Toward the end of the campaign, the way the coach handled the team raised concerns. The Management Committee and the Executive Committee of the GFA also failed to rise to the occasion,” he noted.

For Saanie Daara, the problems were not isolated but systemic.

“The entire ecosystem did not work well,” he told Evans Mensah. “From the coach to the players to the leadership, everyone has to take a share of the blame.”

Despite the dismal showing, Saanie Daara acknowledged moments of promise, such as Ghana’s previous success in securing a spot at the 2022 World Cup.

“We had an average squad age of just 20.7 years at the World Cup, which showed we have potential. But potential means little without proper execution,” he cautioned.

Looking ahead, Saanie Daara urged for a radical overhaul of the system but warned against dismantling what little progress has been made.

“Something radical must happen, but the radicality of it must not completely destroy what has been built. We need reflection, careful planning, and better leadership to avoid repeating these mistakes,” he concluded.