Group stage elimination at World Cup and AFCON was disappointing – Former Black Stars assistant coach George Boateng

Former Black Stars assistant coach George Boateng has described Ghana’s consecutive group-stage exits at the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as deeply disappointing.

Boateng was part of the coaching staff during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Ghana managed just one win against two defeats, failing to progress beyond the group stage.

Following Otto Addo’s departure, Chris Hughton took over as head coach. Under Hughton, the Black Stars struggled again at the AFCON in Ivory Coast, registering two draws and a defeat, leaving the team without a single win.

Reflecting on those campaigns in an interview with Premier League Productions, Boateng said: "I worked with Otto Addo and Chris Hughton, but it was disappointing that we could not qualify from the group phase of the World Cup and the AFCON. Working for Ghana was an honour," he told Premier League Productions.

The former Aston Villa U-23 coach added that representing Ghana from a coaching perspective held personal significance for him.

"I always feel I owe Ghana something because I could not play for them, and so when I had the opportunity to work as an assistant coach, I was honoured," Boateng added.

Following the Black Stars’ struggles in Ivory Coast, the entire technical team was dissolved, clearing the way for Otto Addo’s return to the helm.