Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, has called on GFA President Kurt Okraku to take a bold stand against manipulation in football.
Afriyie’s comments come after the Black Galaxies’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).
Despite expectations for back-to-back qualifications over Nigeria, Ghana lost 3-1 in the second leg in Uyo, following a 0-0 draw at the Accra Sports Stadium in the first leg.
While expressing disappointment over the Black Galaxies’ result, Afriyie praised head coach Mas Ud Didi Dramani, acknowledging him as one of the best coaches in the country.
However, he emphasized that without addressing manipulation in football, national teams will continue to struggle to achieve success.
“We have a lot of talent in this country. Mas Ud Didi Dramani who is the head coach of the Black Galaxies, I do rank him among the best coaches in the country but as to why they didn’t perform, I don’t know but until manipulation is kicked out, our national teams will continue to struggle,” Mr Afriyie told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.
In another setback for Ghanaian football, the senior national team, the Black Stars, also failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, marking the first time in two decades that they will miss the prestigious competition, which will take place in Morocco later this year.