Francis Oti Akenteng, the former Technical Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has urged the GFA to establish clear and consistent criteria for selecting national football team captains. This call follows controversy surrounding the decision by former coach Otto Addo to appoint Mohammed Kudus as captain of the Black Stars during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Sudan. The decision to bypass the usual captain, Jordan Ayew, in the absence of Thomas Partey, sparked a wave of criticism, especially after the Black Stars drew the first leg and lost the return match. The situation led to further complications in the subsequent qualifiers against Angola and Niger, where Jordan Ayew was reinstated as captain but still struggled to lead the team to favorable outcomes.
Akenteng, who is well-versed in the intricacies of Ghanaian football, pointed out that such decisions often create confusion and tension within the team. He noted that when new coaches come on board, they are typically unsure whether to retain the existing captain or appoint a new one, and when changes are made, they can lead to internal problems. This uncertainty in leadership decisions can affect team morale and performance, as was evident in the Black Stars' struggles during the AFCON qualifiers. Akenteng believes that without a well-defined process for selecting captains, the GFA risks creating unnecessary friction within the team, which ultimately hampers their chances of success on the field.
In addition to the issues faced by the Black Stars, Akenteng also alluded to similar captaincy challenges within other national teams, such as the Black Galaxies. Ahead of their 2024 CHAN playoff against Nigeria, internal captaincy disputes reportedly caused tension among the squad, further highlighting the need for a more structured approach to leadership appointments. Akenteng emphasized that a transparent and consistent set of guidelines for selecting captains would prevent these complications in the future. By ensuring that the process is clear and based on objective criteria, the GFA could avoid future controversies and create a more harmonious environment for the national teams. His call for change underscores the importance of strong leadership both on and off the field, which is vital for Ghana’s success in international football.
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