Vanderpuye Calls for Eight-Year Football Rebuild Over Immediate Tournament Targets

Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has urged Ghana’s football authorities to priorities an eight-year rebuilding program rather than focus on qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on Akoma FM, Vanderpuye argued that Ghana needs sustained investment in its football development structures to restore competitiveness and produce lasting results.

His comments follow the Black Stars’ difficult start to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with consecutive defeats to Ivory Coast and The Gambia leaving the team bottom of Group C.

Vanderpuye criticized the lack of continuity in national team selections, claiming that more than 100 players had been used during recent World Cup qualification cycles without establishing a cohesive squad.

He described the team as “frɛfrɛ kɔbɔ,” suggesting that players were being assembled without a consistent approach to building an identifiable playing unit.

The former minister also questioned whether coaching decisions reflected the long-term ambitions being expressed by football officials.

“How do you appoint a 73-year-old coach and claim you’re building a new team?” he asked.

Beyond the senior national team, Vanderpuye accused the Ghana Football Association of paying insufficient attention to grassroots football and local infrastructure. He remarked that its concentration on the Black Stars made it appear to function as the “Ghana Black Stars Association.”

He maintained that strengthening the foundations of the sport should take precedence over pursuing immediate tournament appearances.

In his view, a deliberate eight-year program would give Ghana the opportunity to develop players consistently, build stronger football structures and lay the groundwork for sustained success on the international stage.

Omanghana is an online news portal that provides readers around the world with a greater focus on Ghana and other parts of Africa. Established in 2009, Omanghana regularly publishes articles related to News, Sports, and Entertainment.

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