Laryea Kingston believes Ghana will continue to fall short at major tournaments unless the country abandons its “short-term” mindset and rebuilds its entire national team structure around long-term player development.
The former Black Stars winger says Ghana’s fixation on instant success and trophies has become a major barrier to progress, and insists a clear football philosophy – implemented from youth level up to the senior side – is the only way to restore the country to the top of the African game.
Speaking to 3Sports, Kingston argued that Ghanaian football is still leaning too heavily on its past reputation rather than building for the future.
“We are football people and we love the game so much, but it looks like we’re still relying on our past glory instead of focusing on the long term. People keep saying we have to win the Cup, but trophies don’t come easily. It’s a team sport, so you have to build. Building doesn’t take one day or one year. It takes time,” Kingston said.
Trophy drought and recent setbacks
Ghana have not lifted the Africa Cup of Nations since 1982, more than four decades ago. In the years since, the four-time African champions have repeatedly come close without success, losing in five Afcon finals.
The recent trend has been more worrying. The Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, underlining a decline in fortunes on the continental stage.
Globally, there have been glimpses of promise but no sustained breakthrough. Ghana secured a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, only to be eliminated in the Round of 32 under Carlos Queiroz following defeat by Colombia.
Kingston argues that these outcomes are not isolated disappointments but symptoms of a deeper structural problem in how Ghana plans and prepares its national teams.
Call for unified national team structure
For Kingston, the answer lies not in frequent coaching changes at senior level, but in a complete overhaul of the national team pathway and a unified vision running through all age groups.
He has proposed that Ghana appoint a single technical figure to take charge of the youth national teams – the U-15, U-17 and U-20 sides – while also serving on the Black Stars’ technical bench.
“Ghana should appoint one coach to oversee the entire youth system from the U15s to the U20s and that person should also work closely with the Black Stars as an assistant coach. Give that coach a five-year contract and let the U15s, U17s and U20s all play with the same identity. Within two years, 70 to 80 per cent of those players should be ready for the first team,” he explained.
Kingston believes such continuity would allow Ghana to build a clear football identity, with players progressing through the ranks already accustomed to the same style and tactical demands expected at senior level.
Spain held up as a model
To support his argument, Kingston pointed to Spain’s national team setup, highlighting how many of their current senior internationals have come through the youth system under the guidance of the same coach.
He referenced the pathway overseen by Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who previously managed various Spanish youth sides before stepping up to the senior role, helping ensure a seamless transition for players and a consistent philosophy across age groups.
By contrast, Kingston says Ghana too often assembles squads hurriedly before major tournaments, instead of nurturing players over several years within a coherent system.
“It’s time we started thinking long term instead of calling players together only when there’s a tournament. We need to develop project players through the youth system. That’s how we get closer to winning something consistently,” he said.
Future role with Ghana not ruled out
Kingston, who previously coached the Black Starlets, is currently in charge of the Ugandan men’s national youth team set-up.
Despite moving on from his role with Ghana’s youth side, he has not closed the door on a return to any of the national team structures in the future.
For now, though, his message to Ghanaian football authorities is clear: only by committing to patience, planning and a unified development pathway can the Black Stars hope to end their long wait for silverware.
