Team Manager of the Black Stars, Ameenu Shardow, has defended the team’s performance despite their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Black Stars exited the qualifiers at the bottom of Group F, marking the first time in 20 years that Ghana will miss the continental tournament.
Speaking on Happy Sports, Shardow acknowledged the disappointment of Ghanaians but insisted the team’s performance was better than the results suggested.
“The Black Stars have let Ghanaians down. The results were not forthcoming, but I believe we performed better than what the scores reflect,” Shardow stated.
He highlighted matches such as the 1-0 loss to Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and the goalless draw against Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium as examples where the team’s efforts did not translate into favorable outcomes.
Shardow also emphasized the role of public support, saying, “Anytime the emotions of the masses are detached from the Black Stars, things don’t go well for the team.”
Ghana ended the qualifiers with just three points out of a possible 12, finishing behind Niger (7 points), Sudan (8 points), and group leaders Angola (14 points). The team failed to secure a single win in their campaign, a stark contrast to their rich football history with many calling for the resignation of coach Otto Addo and his technical team.
