Former Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye says Ghana should put immediate ambitions at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and 2030 FIFA World Cup to one side and spend the next eight years rebuilding the Black Stars.
Speaking to Sir John on Akoma 87.9 FM’s GhanAkoma, Vanderpuye called on the country’s football authorities to produce a detailed long-term plan aimed at creating a competitive and consistent national team.
“We should forget about the 2030 World Cup and the 2027 AFCON and focus on building a strong team for the next eight years,” he said.
Vanderpuye said the rebuilding process would require clear structures and a defined development strategy, with the aim of creating a side capable of competing regularly at the highest level.
He also questioned the make-up of the current Black Stars squad, criticising what he described as a lack of continuity in player selection.
“The current Black Stars team is a mixture of frɛfrɛ kɔbɔ. We used over 100 players during the World Cup qualifiers. Which country does that?” he asked.
The former minister said Ghana needed a settled core of players who could develop an understanding of one another over time. He argued that continually changing the squad without a sustainable plan would make it difficult for the national team to establish a clear identity.
Vanderpuye also challenged the decision to appoint an experienced coach while presenting the move as part of a plan to build for the future.
“How do you appoint a 73-year-old coach and claim you’re building a new team?” he said.
His comments questioned whether the Black Stars’ current technical direction matches Ghana’s stated objective of creating a team capable of delivering long-term success.
He said the country should instead adopt a coherent vision, supported by the necessary structures, to guide the national team’s development during the next eight years.
Vanderpuye further criticised what he sees as an overly narrow focus within Ghanaian football administration. He accused the Ghana Football Association (GFA) of concentrating too heavily on the senior national side rather than developing the game more broadly.
“The current football is Ghana Black Stars Association and not Ghana Football Association,” he stated.
The remark reflected his call for football governance to give greater attention to the wider structures needed to develop the sport at every level, rather than focusing primarily on the Black Stars.
Ghana’s immediate task remains improving the national team’s competitiveness while creating a sustainable route towards future success. However, Vanderpuye believes that will require the country to look beyond its next major tournament targets and commit to a long-term rebuilding programme.
By Emmanuel Owusu
