Ghana fans should lower their expectations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, according to former Black Stars Management Committee Chairman George Afriyie.
Despite a significant overhaul of the national team’s technical department, the former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President warns that “more hands on board” does not equate to a guaranteed trophy run.
The West African side is currently preparing for its fifth appearance on football’s grandest stage, where it faces a daunting Group L featuring England, Croatia, and Panama.
Speaking to Asempa FM, Afriyie was candid about the challenges facing the four-time African champions.
His comments come just as the GFA confirmed five high-profile appointments to support head coach Otto Addo.
Mr. Afriyie cautioned that Ghanaians should temper their expectations because having more staff members does not automatically improve the team’s prospects on the pitch.
While the reinforcements aim to provide elite-level scouting and physical conditioning, the former GFA chief suggests that technical changes require time to yield results.
The GFA has cast a wide net to bolster the squad’s support system, bringing in a blend of European expertise and familiar faces.
Frenchman Alain Ravera and current Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren have joined as assistant coaches, while Spanish specialist Jose Daniel Martinez Alfonso will focus on scouting and tactical match analysis.
Experience also returns to the medical department as physiotherapist Carlos Lozano Romero rejoins the fold following his stint during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Completing the revamped “brain trust” is British-born Ghanaian Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi, who takes on the role of performance coach to sharpen the squad’s physical edge.
Ghana’s path to the knockout stages looks formidable, beginning with a regrouping in March for high-profile friendlies against Austria and Germany.
These tests are designed to blood the new technical staff before the tournament kicks off in North America this summer.
The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on 17 June, followed by a highly anticipated clash against England on June 23. The group stage concludes with a final fixture against Croatia on June 27.
With the pressure mounting, the GFA must now prove that this expanded backroom staff can translate into points, even as Afriyie remains cautious about the team’s immediate ceiling.
Source: Ekow Segu
