Chris Hughton
Former Ghana coach Chris Hughton has called on the government to invest more in football infrastructure and the domestic game, warning that inadequate support is hurting the country’s competitiveness in African football.
Ghana face the prospect of missing a second successive Africa Cup of Nations after losing their opening two 2027 qualifiers against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.
Hughton believes the rise of several strong African nations has raised the level of competition, leaving Ghana with work to do to regain their former status.
Speaking to the BBC, the 67-year-old said Ghana were once among the continent’s best.
“Many years ago, Ghana were at a level that was, if not the best team in Africa, certainly right up there,” he said.
“Some of these countries have so many other problems, but I do think that there needs to be an injection of government money into the structure and into the system.”
The former Newcastle United and Brighton manager also raised concerns about the domestic game, pointing to poor pitches and falling attendances.
He argued that the Ghana Premier League, long a source of talent for the national team, no longer gets the backing it once did.
“In Ghana, the local game that used to produce so many good players, the support level is not there,” he said. “They’re playing on pitches that are not of a great level and the supporters are not coming.”
While acknowledging that fans love the Black Stars above all, Hughton said local football lacks the support it once enjoyed.
“I think the government needs to do more as regards putting money into the infrastructure,” he added.
His comments come as the four-time African champions try to get their campaign back on track under interim coach Kim Lars Björkegren.
Ghana face Somalia in a double-header at the Essipong Sports Stadium, seeking their first points in Group C.
BY Wletsu Ransford