Former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah has shared valuable insights on how the senior national team can regain its former glory.
The four-time African champions have faced challenges in major tournaments in recent years.
Since their remarkable quarter final run in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and reaching the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2015, the team has struggled to perform.
They were eliminated in the group stages of both the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Additionally, they faced early exits in the group phases of the 2021 and 2023 AFCON tournaments in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively.
During his recent appearance before the Parliamentary Select Committee, Appiah—who began his career with the U-17 team (Black Starlets) and progressed through the U-20 (Black Satellites) and U-23 (Black Meteors) squads—emphasized the necessity for a clear strategy to nurture young talent and facilitate a smooth transition to the senior team.
“What we need is a clear plan for the Black Stars, not just for today but for the next decade,” he said.
“We need to invest in our youth; that’s where the future of the Black Stars lies. By establishing better youth academies and training facilities, we can nurture talent from a young age. It’s essential to create pathways for these young players to transition smoothly into the national team and develop their skills in a structured environment,” he added.
The Black Stars are set to regroup for their 2025 AFCON qualifiers, facing Sudan in a doubleheader next month.
Otto Addo’s side will host the Falcons on Friday, October 11, before travelling to Libya for the return leg at the Martyrs of February Stadium on Monday, October 14.
Currently, the Black Stars are in third place in Group F, having lost to Angola and drawn with Niger in their first two matches.
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