A former Editor of Kotoko Express, Jerome Otchere, has attributed the underwhelming performance of the senior national football team to fundamental flaws in its management.
During an appearance on JoyNews’ PM Express, Mr. Otchere placed the blame squarely on stakeholders, particularly the Sports Ministry, asserting that Ghana has not established a clear and comprehensive vision for the Black Stars.
He emphasized that the absence of a well-defined plan has been a significant factor contributing to the team’s recent struggles on the continental stage.
Mr. Otchere’s comments followed Ghana’s defeat in its first match of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) against Cape Verde on Sunday.
He emphasized that the traditional approach of allocating funds only when the team qualifies for a tournament is insufficient.
“I do not think that as a country we have clearly identified what we want to do with our senior national team. All that we’ve been doing is when it’s time for a tournament and we’re lucky to qualify, money is made available for them to travel and that is all.
“There is no real plan as to what Ghana has been doing with the Black Stars,” he told host Evans Mensah on Monday.
Mr. Otchere contended that relying on a reactive strategy does not effectively address the root issues affecting the performance of the Black Stars. He called for a shift towards a more proactive and sustained effort from the authorities to address the challenges facing the national football team.
Additionally, he questioned the absence of a comprehensive plan for the Black Stars and urged stakeholders to prioritize the identification and pursuit of specific goals. Mr. Otchere emphasized the importance of having a well-defined roadmap to guide the development and success of the team on both the national and continental stages.
“Where [do] we want to take it [Black Stars] and if you’re talking about player quality, how are you nurturing players?” he stated.