Kwesi Appiah Warns Against Mismanaging Black Stars Captaincy
Former Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah has expressed concern over the way Ghana's national football team is handling its captaincy situation, warning that poor management could create division within the squad. His comments come in response to the Ghana Football Association’s recent decision to rotate captains during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers before officially naming Jordan Ayew as the team’s leader for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Speaking with Joy Sports, Appiah emphasized that team unity is crucial for success, advising that any lingering issues regarding leadership should be addressed to prevent internal conflicts. He stressed that Ghana has a strong pool of talented players, but without a harmonious environment, the team may struggle to reach its full potential.
Appiah’s warning is based on his personal experience dealing with similar challenges during his tenure as Black Stars coach. In 2019, he made the controversial decision to strip Asamoah Gyan of the captaincy ahead of the AFCON tournament, a move that led to Gyan briefly retiring from international football. The situation was only resolved after an intervention from Ghana’s then-President, Nana Akufo-Addo, which ultimately allowed Gyan to remain with the team. Given this past experience, Appiah understands the potential risks that can arise when leadership disputes are not handled with care. His concern is that if the Black Stars’ current captaincy issues are not managed properly, it could lead to tension among the players and negatively impact their performance in key matches.
As Ghana prepares for crucial World Cup qualifying matches later this month, the team will need to remain focused and united. The Black Stars, currently second in Group I with nine points, are set to face Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 21 before traveling to Morocco to play Madagascar on March 24. These matches will be critical in determining their chances of securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Appiah’s cautionary advice in mind, the Ghana Football Association and coaching staff must ensure that all players are on the same page and that any disputes over leadership are resolved. A well-managed captaincy transition could be the key to maintaining team morale and strengthening Ghana’s chances of success in the upcoming qualifiers.
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