Black Stars' decline due to lack Europe's elite talent, says Ibrahim Sannie Daara
Former Ghana Football Association communications director Ibrahim Sannie Daara says the Black Stars' recent decline is partly due to the absence of Ghanaian players at Europe's biggest clubs.
Ghana have struggled to replicate the success of previous generations, with the four-time African champions missing out on qualification for the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Speaking to TV3 on Monday, Sannie contrasted the current squad with the side that reached the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, arguing that the earlier team benefited from having several players competing at the highest level of European football.
“When you look at it, at the time when Ghana was really, really at the top, 2010, look at our players and the teams they were playing for,” he said.
“Inter Milan, Sulley Muntari was winning the Champions League, winning the leagues. Kevin Prince was at AC Milan.”
Sannie also highlighted Andre Ayew's emergence at Marseille, where he gained experience in the Champions League while still one of the youngest members of the Ghana squad.
“Even Andre Ayew was at Marseille, playing in the Champions League. He was among the youngest in the team,” Sannie added.
According to the CAF senior media officer, today's Black Stars no longer enjoy the same presence among Europe's elite clubs.
“And all of them were playing for top, top, top, top teams all over the place,” he said.
He argued that a player's club pedigree can shape the way opponents approach international matches, suggesting Ghana have lost the intimidation factor they once possessed.
“When you play ordinarily, people will see you as an ordinary player. But if you come with a big name, your opponents will fear you. There's no fear factor anymore,” he said.
“Why? Because how many of our players are playing for big teams now?”
The Black Stars will regroup later this month to begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign after reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
Ghana travel to Bouaké to face Côte d'Ivoire at the Stade de la Paix on 24 September before returning home three days later to host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The four-time continental champions will be determined to secure a place at the 2027 finals after missing qualification for the previous edition, one of the country's biggest football disappointments in recent years.