GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey
Since Kurt Okraku assumed office as President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in October 2019, the Black Stars have seen a series of coaching changes and disappointing results, despite a significant amount of expectation placed on the team.
Under Kurt’s leadership, Ghana’s senior national football team has failed to claim any major titles, and the team’s performance in international tournaments has been underwhelming.
He has over the period, appointed five different coaches to lead the Black Stars during his tenure, including Charles Kwabena Akonnor, Milovan Rajevac, Chris Hughton, and the current head coach Otto Addo, who has returned to the role after a brief dismissal.
This feature takes a closer look at the performance of each coach and the Black Stars‘ results during Okraku’s five years in office.
Charles Kwabena (CK) Akonnor
CK Akonnor was appointed head coach of the Black Stars in January 2020, and under his management, the team played 10 matches.
Akonnor’s record included 4 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws. His winning rate stood at 40%, with an equal losing rate of 40%, and a 20% draw rate.
Under his leadership, Ghana scored 13 goals and conceded 9, but the team’s inconsistent performances led to his sacking in September 2021.
While the results were not disastrous, the team’s lack of progress in key areas ultimately led to his departure.
Milovan Rajevac
Milovan “Milo” Rajevac, the Serbian tactician, took charge of the Black Stars in September 2021 but was only in charge for a short period until January 2022.
His tenure lasted for just eight matches, with 3 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, giving him a 37.5% win rate, 37.5% loss rate, and a 25% draw rate.
Under Rajevac, Ghana’s performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was disastrous.
The Black Stars were eliminated in the group stage, finishing at the bottom of their group after a 0-1 loss to Morocco, a 1-1 draw with Gabon, and a 2-3 loss to Comoros.
Ghana earned only one point, leading to Rajevac’s dismissal shortly after the tournament.
Chris Hughton
Chris Hughton, with his extensive coaching experience, took over the Black Stars in February 2023. Despite the high expectations placed on him, his tenure proved disappointing. Hughton managed the team for 13 matches, with a record of 4 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses, resulting in a win percentage of just 30.8%.
In the 2023 AFCON, Hughton’s Black Stars were once again eliminated in the group stage, with three disappointing results: a 2-2 draw with Mozambique, another 2-2 draw with Egypt, and a 1-2 loss to Cape Verde.
Ghana finished in third place in the group, missing out on a spot in the knockout stages, which led to Hughton’s sacking after the tournament.
Otto Addo has the unique distinction of being both sacked and rehired as the Black Stars coach during Kurt Okraku’s tenure.
Initially appointed in March 2022, Addo led the Black Stars to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. However, Ghana’s performance at the World Cup was underwhelming, with the team finishing last in Group H.
The Black Stars lost 2-3 to Portugal, managed a 3-2 win over South Korea, but lost 0-2 to Uruguay. They ended the group stage with just 3 points.
Following the World Cup, Addo was sacked but reappointed in March 2024 to guide Ghana through the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Unfortunately, his second stint has been even more disappointing, as Ghana failed to qualify for the tournament, marking the first time in 21 years the team has missed out on AFCON.
Over 21 matches, Addo’s Black Stars won only 6, lost 7, and drew 8, resulting in a poor 28.6% win rate.
Summary of performance under Kurt Okraku
In his five years as GFA President, Kurt Okraku has overseen significant challenges for the Black Stars, with no major titles to show for the changes in coaching staff.
The team has failed to progress beyond the group stage in most major tournaments, including both the 2021 AFCON and the 2022 World Cup.
With a series of coaches coming and going, the Black Stars‘ performance has been a source of growing frustration for both fans and pundits.
While the GFA’s efforts to find the right coach have been commendable, the inability to turn around the fortunes of the national team remains a major challenge for Okraku’s administration.
With the 2025 AFCON qualifiers already proving to be another hurdle, the pressure on Okraku and his appointed coaches continues to mount as Ghanaians eagerly await a return to success for the Black Stars.
Sports Debate: Football fans tip Sudan over Black Stars to qualify for 2025 AFCON
SB/EB
