The Black Stars of Ghana have fallen to 77th in the latest FIFA rankings following a year marred by poor performances on both continental and international stages.
The team’s struggles, which included a group-stage exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and inconsistent results in other competitions, have left fans and analysts questioning the direction of Ghanaian football.
Under the leadership of Chris Hughton during the AFCON at the beginning of 2024, Ghana failed to secure a single victory in their group matches, marking a second consecutive group-stage elimination from the tournament.
The campaign saw the Black Stars lose to Cape Verde 2-1 and draw against Egypt and Mozambique, both ending 2-2.
The disappointing exit intensified scrutiny on the team’s management and players.
In a bid to reset, Otto Addo was appointed as the permanent head coach, following his previous stint as a caretaker during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
While the decision sparked mixed reactions, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) remained steadfast in their support for the German-trained coach.
Addo’s tenure began with promise, as Ghana secured two victories in the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, defeating Mali 2-1 and edging out the Central African Republic 4-3.
However, that momentum failed to carry into the qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON.
Ghana’s campaign was dismal, with the Black Stars failing to win a single match.
Key results included a 0-1 loss to Angola, a 1-1 draw with Niger, and a 0-0 stalemate against Sudan.
A subsequent 2-0 defeat to Sudan compounded the team’s woes, leaving Ghana out of contention for the tournament and leading to widespread calls for Addo’s dismissal—calls that the GFA declined to address.
The team’s struggles were not confined to official qualifiers. In international friendlies, Ghana fell 2-1 to Nigeria and managed only a 2-2 draw against Uganda, further highlighting the challenges facing the Black Stars.
As a result of these underwhelming performances, Ghana’s global ranking has dropped to 77th, a significant decline that reflects the team’s difficulties throughout the year.
Despite the setbacks, Ghana has managed to maintain its 14th position on the CAF rankings, a small consolation for fans who have grown accustomed to the team being a dominant force in African football.
The Black Stars now face an uphill battle to restore their reputation and rekindle the confidence of their supporters as they prepare for future competitions.
