Cow-dung management style has been a our problem - Former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye

Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye says Ghana must review the management of its national teams following the Black Stars’ poor start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Black Stars suffered a 4-2 defeat by The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, surrendering a two-goal lead to lose their second consecutive Group C match.

Vanderpuye believes the latest setback highlights deeper problems within the management of Ghana’s national teams and has called for experts to work with the current football administration to address them.

“Our national team is gone because we have problems; we have used the cow-dung management style for all this time, where we feel everything is okay on the surface, but there are problems underneath,” he told Joy FM.

“It’s serious, and it’s high time we look at it critically; it’s high time we bring expert people together with the current group of people managing our football to look at how our national teams are being managed.”

Ghana had appeared on course for their first victory of the qualifiers after taking a 2-0 lead against The Gambia, but the visitors staged a remarkable comeback to secure all three points.

The defeat was met with boos from the home supporters at the final whistle and leaves the Black Stars without a point from their opening two matches.

Ghana had also lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké in their opening Group C fixture and currently sit bottom of the group.

The poor start has intensified scrutiny on head coach Carlos Queiroz and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), with questions being raised over the team's performances and the decision to appoint the Portuguese coach.

The Black Stars will have an opportunity to revive their qualifying campaign in October when they face Somalia in a double-header at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana are seeking a return to the continental tournament after missing out on the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, ending a run of more than two decades of consecutive appearances at the competition.