'Are you sure it was Ghana Black Stars that played?' – Nii Lante Vanderpuye

Former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye has expressed shock at the Black Stars’ performance in their recent match against The Gambia.

According to him,he could hardly recognise the national team that played, describing the performance as one of the poorest he has seen from the Black Stars in decades.

“Are you sure it was Ghana Black Stars that played against Gambia?” Vanderpuye asked in disbelief.

He said he had followed the Black Stars from the 1970s and 1980s, both as a spectator and later as a commentator and football administrator, but had never seen the team perform at such a low level.

Vanderpuye also compared the Black Stars’ performance to that of Ghanaian clubs playing in continental competitions, arguing that some clubs had produced better performances despite losing their matches.

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He warned that the problems affecting Ghana football had been raised repeatedly but were not adequately addressed.

“If you have a cancer and you don't heal ,you don't take care of it, it will continue to spread and it will come to a time it will eat up your body,” he said.

He further called for a broader review of how Ghana’s national teams are managed, involving experienced football figures and administrators.

“Let’s bring people like Ernest and Abatla and all these people with the current group of people, managers of football, and all sit down and take a look at how our national teams are being managed,”he added.

'Are you sure it was the Ghana Black Stars that played against Gambia?'

Former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye quizzes in shock.#JoySports pic.twitter.com/2trjvdfenu

— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) September 30, 2026