Kwabena Yeboah Slams Black Stars‘ Commitment After AFCON Miss—–President of Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah, has questioned the commitment of some Black Stars players after the team missed out on qualifying for the 2025 AFCON.
Ghana, for the first time in two decades, will not compete at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, having finished at the bottom of its group with just three points.
The Black Stars suffered three defeats and recorded three draws after six matches played during the qualifiers.
Speaking to Metro TV, the veteran broadcaster pointed out that the disconnect is particularly evident among players born abroad or those who have spent most of their lives 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,” he 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.”
Mr Yeboah further citied Ghana’s match against Niger as an example, where up to eight key players withdrew from the team, offering various reasons for their absence.
“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 AFCON qualification heartbreak, the Black Stars, after their back-to-back wins against Chad and Madagascar during the March international break, have propelled them to the top of Group I with 15 points.
The team will regroup for a four-nation tournament in May in London before taking on Chad and Mali in the Matchday 7 and 8 games of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September.
Last Updated on April 12, 2025 by Accra Daily News Admin
