Former Black Stars assistant coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani says Ghana must change the way it develops young players.
Didi Dramani also stressed that Ghana needs proper planning, consistency and strong systems to improve its results in youth football.
Ghana’s youth football system has come under growing pressure following a series of disappointing results, with the national U-17 and U-20 teams struggling to make their mark at major continental and international tournaments.
The latest blow came when the Black Starlets failed to secure qualification for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a semi-final defeat to Côte d’Ivoire at the WAFU Zone B U-17 tournament.
The setback has raised fresh concerns about Ghana’s ability to find young talents, develop their skills and prepare them for top-level football.
Dramani, who guided Ghana’s U-20 women’s team to a bronze medal at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan, believes the country must move beyond promises and adopt a clear, long-term plan to rebuild its youth football system.
Speaking to JoySports, the experienced tactician stressed that lasting progress depends on identifying promising players, recruiting the right talent and giving young footballers the support they need to develop.
“When you want to bring a concept, it is a matter of being very deliberate and remaining very consistent, and you have to be sustainable. Development is all about talent identification, recruitment and also the ability to nurture,” he said.
Dramani also warned that Ghana cannot expect to produce winning teams without first building the right foundations. He called for better coaching and stronger links between clubs and schools, insisting that football development must follow a clear structure rather than rely on chance.
“Creating success is not just talking. You don’t start winning games without putting in the right measures. When you’re deliberate, you’ll train coaches so they manage clubs and schools. Football shouldn’t be a maybe sport; it should be a structured sport,” he added.
His remarks come at a difficult time for Ghanaian youth football, with the Black Starlets’ failure to reach the next U-17 Africa Cup of Nations adding to concerns over the country’s recent performances at junior level.
By: Pascal Amoah
