Former Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has expressed deep concern over the Black Stars' recent performances and their perceived loss of identity.
Agyemang-Badu’s comments come in the wake of Ghana's 1-1 draw against Niger in their second Group F match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Monday. The result leaves Ghana in 3rd place in the group, having secured just one point from their opening two games.
Reflecting on the team's recent struggles, Agyemang-Badu, who was part of Ghana’s victorious 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup squad, lamented the decline in the team’s global standing.
"I am sad. We who still love the team and follow Ghana football closely are very disheartened," Agyemang-Badu told Asempa FM. "The dangerous thing is that we are gradually losing our biggest identity in the world. This is very troubling for us."
He continued, "Looking at the matches we have played, it seems the pattern of play for the national team is diminishing. We need to have a meeting with the senior players because the current trajectory is not promising."
Agyemang-Badu also noted the change in expectations over the years: "Years ago, when we played qualifiers, Ghanaians expected us to reach the final or win the trophy. Now, we are struggling even to qualify."
Ghana’s qualification campaign began with a 1-0 defeat to Angola, and the team will look to turn their fortunes around in their upcoming doubleheader against Kwesi Appiah's Sudan in October.
