Former Minister for Youth and Sports, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has voiced concerns about the Black Stars’ overall performance despite their dominant victories over Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana recorded an impressive 3-0 win against Madagascar and followed it up with a resounding 5-0 thrashing of Chad, signaling a strong start to their qualification campaign. However, Vanderpuye insists that scorelines alone do not indicate real progress and believes the team still lacks the quality needed to compete at the highest level.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Channel One Sports, the outspoken former minister expressed doubts about the Black Stars’ overall development.
“Sometimes you must appreciate the quality of the game that was played. You must look at whether the team has moved from level A to level B, from class one to class two, and not just focus on the result,” Vanderpuye stated.
He further emphasized that despite the comfortable victories, he has not seen clear improvements in the team’s style of play, structure, or tactical discipline.
“The two matches we have played so far don’t give me any indication that there has been real improvement in the team, even though we’ve won them by wide scorelines,” he added.
Ghana’s national team, led by key players such as captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, and Mohammed Kudus, remains determined to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their recent wins have put them in a strong position, but there is still a long road ahead in the qualifiers.
The Black Stars’ next test will come in September, when they face Chad and Mali in crucial Matchday 7 and 8 encounters. These games are expected to be tougher challenges that will reveal the true progress of the squad.
While Ghana’s victories have been celebrated, football analysts and fans share Vanderpuye’s concerns about the team’s overall quality. The Black Stars will need to work on tactical consistency, squad depth, and game management if they hope to make an impact in the 2026 World Cup.
With growing expectations from Ghanaians, the team’s performance in the upcoming qualifiers will be crucial in proving whether they have truly improved or are merely benefiting from weaker opposition.
As the Black Stars prepare for their next set of matches, all eyes will be on coach Otto Addo and his players to see if they can address their weaknesses and maintain their winning momentum.
