Black Stars' two qualifying defeats prompt calls to dissolve Ghana Football Association

Pinned summary · as of 07:33

Some fans and people in football circles want the Ghana Football Association (GFA) disbanded or overhauled after the Black Stars lost both opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Adom Online and Chale News reported. Ghana went down 2-0 to Côte d'Ivoire and then 4-2 to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

What we know

• Ghana lost 2-0 to Côte d'Ivoire and then 4-2 to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium, leaving the Black Stars without a point after two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
• After the two defeats, some fans and people in football circles have demanded that the GFA be disbanded or that football administration change deeply, according to Adom Online and Chale News.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

• ?
  Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams said the state lacks the legal power to disband the GFA, which he described as a legally registered body existing in perpetuity, like a private company; Adom Online and Chale News attribute the remarks to an interview with Joy FM.
• ?
  Mr Adams said such a body cannot be wound up unless it has committed an offence, and that the relevant rules would come into play if officials were shown to have abused their posts to commit a crime.
• ?
  According to the reports, Mr Adams acknowledged that the government has a stake in football because it funds the national teams, and he pointed to FIFA's Standard Corporate Agreement as allowing a formal relationship with the GFA, while insisting this gives no power to dissolve it.
• ?
  Mr Adams said the government's current aim is to make the public interest committee and similar safeguards function, and that the GFA is a registered body paying its taxes. Adom Online added that he said poor results or public dissatisfaction are not grounds for dissolution.
• ?
  Adom Online reported that Ghana led The Gambia 2-0 before losing 4-2.
• ?
  Chale News and Pulse Ghana said the first defeat came in Bouaké.
• ?
  Chale News and Pulse Ghana reported that politicians have also joined calls for the GFA to go or be reformed; Adom Online did not mention this.
• ?
  Chale News reported that the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) told GFA leaders to reverse the decline or step aside.
• ?
  Chale News reported that Carlos Queiroz has left and Ghana currently lacks a permanent head coach.
• ?
  Chale News said the GFA has not publicly responded to the minister's remarks or to SWAG's call.
• ?
  Adom Online reported that a meeting between Mr Adams and the GFA's leaders is scheduled for Friday, 2 October, to discuss the team's poor start.
• ?
  Adom Online also recalled that Ghana did not qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, having come last in its pool, and that two October fixtures against Somalia are set for the Accra Sports Stadium.

Why it matters for Ghana

The minister says the government pays for the national teams, so the question of who answers for the Black Stars' results touches taxpayers as well as supporters across Ghana. Fans will be watching both the October matches against Somalia in Accra and whatever comes out of the minister's talks with the GFA leadership.