Data Bank Group CEO Kojo Addae Mensah has expressed concerns about the Black Stars' current state, asserting that even a managerial maestro like Pep Guardiola wouldn't secure an AFCON trophy for Ghana due to a lack of quality players.
In an interview on Happy FM, Mensah, renowned for his deep understanding of Ghanaian football, highlighted the deficiencies in the present Black Stars squad, stating, “The current Black Stars team lacks quality. If you compare the squad from 2006 up to 2010, none of the current team members come close, not even Partey.”
Mensah dismissed the idea of blaming the head coach alone, emphasizing that the selected players did not meet the required standard. He asserted, “This current crop of players can’t win the AFCON for Ghana, and that’s the truth.”
Even the prospect of bringing in Pep Guardiola, a highly successful manager, was dismissed by Mensah Addae. “Even if we bring in Pep Guardiola, a top manager we all know, he can’t salvage anything with this Black Stars Team. We need to be patient with this team so we can go through the rebuilding process. The team has a long way to go.”
While Guardiola has enjoyed immense success at Manchester City, winning various titles, Mensah's focus is on the rebuilding process for the Black Stars. Criticism has surrounded the team's recent performances, particularly during the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with a 1-0 defeat against Comoros in Moroni under Coach Chris Hughton.
With the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast approaching, Ghana aims to exceed their previous performance, aspiring to advance beyond the group stages after their exit in the last edition.
