Veteran broadcaster, Kwabena Yeboah, has raised concerns about the commitment levels of some Black Stars players following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
For the first time in 20 years, Ghana will not feature in Africa’s premier football tournament after finishing at the bottom of their qualification group with just three points.
The Black Stars failed to secure a single win during the qualifiers, registering three defeats and three draws in six matches.
In an interview with Metro TV, the President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) expressed disappointment, suggesting a lack of emotional connection and understanding of the AFCON’s significance—particularly among players born or raised outside the continent.
“It’s difficult for me to say this, but quite a number of our players do not even understand the importance of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Yeboah said.
“I won’t mention names, but several players born abroad or those who have stayed out for a long time don’t fully understand how crucial the Cup of Nations is to us Africans. However, they understand the significance of the World Cup.”
He cited the team’s fixture against Niger as an example, where up to eight key players reportedly withdrew from the squad under various pretenses.
“If you remember the game against Niger, as many as eight of our regulars turned their backs on the team, offering all kinds of reasons.
“They wouldn’t do the same thing for the World Cup. Look at how quickly they responded to the calls for the World Cup. Every single player knows the importance of the World Cup, and I’m happy that things are turning around,” he added.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on AFCON, the Black Stars bounced back during the March international break with back-to-back wins over Chad and Madagascar. Those victories have placed Ghana at the top of Group I with 15 points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The national team is expected to regroup for a four-nation tournament in London in May, ahead of crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Mali in September.