Former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye has criticised the management of Ghana football after the Black Stars suffered a dramatic 4-2 defeat by Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nii Lante Vanderpuye says Ghana’s national interest risks being compromised when people who directly own football clubs are involved in managing the country’s football.
The former Sports Minister made the comments after the Black Stars surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 to Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.
“When people who directly own clubs are managing our football, we have a problem,” Vanderpuye told Joy FM.
“There is no way the national interest will supersede personal interest.”
His comments come after Ghana’s latest disappointing performance, which saw the Black Stars take a 2-0 lead before conceding four unanswered goals.
Vanderpuye, who has followed Ghanaian football for decades, described the performance as unprecedented in his experience.
“In all my years watching football in the 70s, 80s and 90s, I have never seen a Black Stars performance as poor as we saw against The Gambia,” he said.
Ghana appeared to be in control after Ernest Nuamah converted a penalty in the 27th minute, with Félix Afena-Gyan adding a second goal six minutes later.
But Gambia responded before half-time, scoring twice through Muhammad Badamosi and Omar Colley to level the match.
Ebrima Colley then put Gambia ahead in the second half before adding a fourth goal in stoppage time to complete a remarkable comeback.
The result leaves Ghana without a point from their opening two qualifying matches and puts renewed attention on the leadership and management of the national team.
Vanderpuye’s comments are likely to fuel the wider debate over conflicts of interest in Ghana football and whether the structures running the sport are adequately serving the interests of the national team.
For the Black Stars, the immediate challenge is to recover from the defeat and revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFCON tournament.
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