Black Stars failure to qualify for AFCON unfortunate - Herbert Mensah
Former Asante Kotoko Board Chairman, Herbert Mensah, has raised concerns over the direction of Ghana football, suggesting that the national team may have placed greater emphasis on World Cup qualification at the expense of success at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking in an interview with Luv FM, Mensah reflected on the Black Stars’ failure to advance at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), describing the outcome as disappointing but pointing to their eventual qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a sign of a possible shift in priorities.
"Our failure to get through to AFCON was unfortunate. The fact that we've gone to the World Cup says maybe we were looking bigger in different things.
"I don't think so, but maybe that was the kind of plan in terms of looking to go forward," Mensah stated.
Mensah, who also serves as Rugby Africa President, stopped short of accusing the technical team or the Ghana Football Association of deliberately sidelining AFCON success.
However, his remarks add to ongoing public debate about the balance between short-term tournament performance and long-term qualification targets.
The Black Stars’ qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been widely celebrated, yet questions persist over their AFCON campaign and overall consistency on the continental stage.
With the World Cup approaching in a matter of weeks, Mensah’s comments are likely to intensify scrutiny on Ghana’s football leadership as expectations build for a stronger showing on the global stage.