Sports journalist Saddick Adams, widely known as Sports Obama, has rejected suggestions that the Black Stars’ recent poor performance is due to a lack of player quality. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Adams argued that the team’s struggles are rooted in deeper systemic dysfunction, rather than a shortage of talent, and offered a sharp rebuke of coach Otto Addo’s recent comments regarding the team’s player pool.
“You have players who compete week in and week out in the top leagues across the world,” Adams stated, expressing disbelief at the disparity between their club form and performances with the national team. “And then they come here to play, and you find yourself asking, ‘Are these really the players who were in the Premier League last week? Is this the same player who scored in the Spanish La Liga?'”
Adams’ criticism comes in response to Addo’s remarks suggesting that Ghana’s talent pool might be insufficient to compete at the highest levels. Adams emphasized the calibre of players regularly representing the Black Stars and highlighted the relatively manageable nature of Ghana’s qualification group for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“You are in a group with Sudan, Niger, and Angola, so not having talent should not be an issue,” Adams argued, dismissing the notion that a lack of quality players is the root cause of the team’s struggles. “If we were drawn against Brazil, Spain, or Germany, that would be a different conversation.”
Ghana’s recent qualification campaign for AFCON has been marked by dismal results, with the Black Stars failing to secure a single victory. Despite their illustrious footballing history, which includes four AFCON titles and strong World Cup performances, Ghana’s inability to beat teams like Sudan, Niger, and Angola has left fans frustrated and disillusioned.
Adams pointed to broader systemic issues within the team as the primary reason for this historic underperformance. “It’s not about talent,” he stressed. “The quality of these players is evident at the club level. What’s lacking is a functional system, clear strategy, and effective leadership.” His comments have added fuel to ongoing calls for significant reforms in Ghanaian football.
