Forget 2025 AFCON, focus on long-term rebuilding of team – Former Black Stars defender to GFA

Former Black Stars defender Shilla Illiasu has called on the national team to prioritize long-term rebuilding efforts over the AFCON and World Cup.

His comments follow the Black Stars’ disappointing loss to Sudan in their Match Day 4 fixture of the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers in Libya, a result that has cast further doubt on their qualification for the tournament in Morocco.

With a crucial match against Angola in Luanda up next, Illiasu emphasized that while securing three points is essential to keep their AFCON hopes alive, the team must also focus on a sustainable strategy for future success.

He warned that failure to adopt a long-term vision could see the team struggle in future competitions.

“I think going forward you made it clear the time has come for every Ghanaian to see that there is a problem with the team, and in other to build a very solid team, we need to forget about AFCON and World Cup and try to put a plan, either five years development plan and let the whole country understand that there is a problem with the team and give the coach the maximum support and let him understand that he should give us a plan,” he stated.

-Citi Newsroom