Black Stars' performance under Kurt Okraku's GFA leadership

Claiming the title of "Game Changer," Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku positioned himself as the leader who would elevate Ghanaian football following the explosive "Number 12" documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which uncovered widespread corruption within the nation's football system.

However, five years into his tenure as President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Black Stars' performance has sharply declined. For the first time since 2004, Ghana failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking a significant setback for the national team.

Since Okraku's appointment, the team's fortunes have continued to spiral downwards. While Ghana reached the Round of 16 in the 2019 AFCON before his leadership began, the Black Stars have since failed to progress past the group stages in any subsequent tournament.

2021 AFCON

In the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ghana failed to win a single match in the group stage. The Black Stars lost 1-0 to Morocco in their opening game, then drew 1-1 with Gabon before suffering a 3-2 defeat to Comoros.

Ghana finished bottom of Group C with just one point, while Morocco topped the group with seven points, followed by Gabon with five points.

2022 World Cup

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana faced Portugal in their opening match, where a penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo secured a 3-2 victory for the Portuguese. Ghana went on to lose by the same scoreline to South Korea, but qualification still seemed within reach. However, in a do-or-die match against Uruguay, the Black Stars crashed out, losing 2-0 after Dede Ayew missed an early penalty.

Portugal won Group H with six points, South Korea finished second with four, Uruguay placed third with the same points, and Ghana exited the tournament with only three points.

Mexico and USA Friendlies

In his sixth match as the coach of the Black Stars, Chris Hughton witnessed his team's first defeat, falling 2-0 to Mexico on Sunday, October 15, 2023.

The CONCACAF Gold Cup champions secured their victory with second-half goals from Hirving Lozano and Uriel Antuna, continuing their historical dominance over the Ghanaian side.

Coach Hughton rended an unqualified apology and took responsibility for his side’s 0-4 defeat to the United States in another international friendly at GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. It was the second successive defeat after the 0-2 loss to Mexico in the first of a two-match US tour by the Ghanaian team.

The Americans secured a commanding lead, scoring four goals by the 40th minute as Giovanni Reyna netted twice, Christian Pulisic converted a penalty while Folarin Balogun drilled the final nail in Ghana's coffin with a sublime finish just before half time.

2023 AFCON

Ghana endured another disappointing campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire, exiting the group stage for the second consecutive tournament. 

The Black Stars were unable to secure a win in any of their three Group C matches, drawing 2-2 with both Mozambique and Egypt before suffering a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde.

Cape Verde topped the group and advanced to the Round of 16, followed by Egypt in second place. Both Mozambique and Ghana finished with two points, and were eliminated from the tournament.

2025 AFCON Qualifiers

The Black Stars have officially failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers following a 1-1 draw with Angola on Friday, November 15. 

Ghana’s qualification hopes were dashed after a series of poor results: they lost 1-0 to Angola in Kumasi, drew 1-1 with Niger in Morocco, and earned just one point from their double-header against Sudan, drawing 0-0 at home and losing 2-0 away.

With only three points, Otto Addo’s side now sits at the bottom of Group F, missing out on the expanded AFCON tournament in Morocco next year.

Ghana will face Niger in their final qualifying match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 4 PM.

Black Stars AFCON Regression
2008-2017 - 2 finals and 5 semis
2019 - Round of 16 exit
2021 - Group Stage exit
2023 - Group Stage exit
2025 - Did not qualify