Niger’s head coach, Badou Zaki, has raised serious concerns about the Black Stars’ recent performances, stating that the current team lacks the dominance and flair of its predecessors.
Speaking to Ghanasportspage.com, Zaki expressed his frustration over Ghana’s noticeable decline in form, comparing it unfavorably to the squad that nearly reached the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup.
“The Black Stars is big and known as the Brazilians of Africa because the team is very heavy when you check the players. You have Seidu, Lamptey, Partey and many players who perform in the major leagues in Europe but I think something is happening. You don’t feel like the Black Stars we know before,” Badou said.
Zaki’s remarks come on the heels of Ghana’s underwhelming performance in the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Abidjan.
Despite the presence of high-caliber players, the team failed to deliver a performance befitting their reputation. “We saw Ghana at the AFCON in Abidjan but it wasn’t good. They have big players, big team and players with good performance"
The Moroccan coach drew a stark comparison between the current squad and the 2010 team, emphasizing the differences in strength and cohesion.
“We watched Ghana at the World Cup 2010 and they almost qualified for the semi-finals. There is mass different between that team and the current team. They are not strong in attack and defence"
Zaki also criticized the team’s defensive vulnerabilities, citing their recent game against Central African Republic as evidence of their recurring issues.
“They concede many goals. They conceded three goals against Central African Republic at home which is not normal. They concede goals every time,” said the Moroccan trainer.
Looking ahead, the Black Stars are set to host Sudan next month in the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. However, the match will be played on neutral ground following a ban imposed on the Baba Yara Stadium by CAF.
