Mohammed Polo: Ghana’s football problems are technical, not administrative
Ghana football legend Mohammed Polo has identified technical deficiencies as the major challenge affecting the country’s football development, insisting that more attention must be given to coaching education and the preservation of Ghana’s football identity.
The former Hearts of Oak star acknowledged the efforts of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in creating structures aimed at improving the sport but believes the lack of tangible results suggests that a key element is still missing.
According to Polo, the missing link is technical expertise, particularly in player development and coaching.
“My five-year development plan is in place because the GFA management is doing a lot and putting every structure in place, but no results to show. It shows that there is something missing. What is missing is technical,” Polo told Asempa Sports.
The 1982 Africa Cup of Nations winner argued that Ghana’s football discussions should move beyond debates about whether locally based coaches are capable of handling the national team and instead focus on providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge.
Polo believes Ghana has a unique football identity that must be preserved and passed on to younger generations through proper technical education.
“So the conversations surrounding local-based coaches, they are doing their best, you know; but we need to let Ghanaians know that our legends are not good. But the ball we play shows that we have a class of football. And we want to teach the children what we know, which I am sure that those who will come, it will help us,” he concluded.
The former Black Stars winger stressed that empowering experienced Ghanaian coaches and former players to contribute to grassroots development will be crucial in rebuilding the country’s football future.
Polo believes a stronger emphasis on technical training, youth development and the transmission of Ghana’s traditional playing philosophy can help restore the quality and identity that have historically defined Ghanaian football.