Former Black Stars assistant coach George Boateng has candidly reflected on Ghana’s recent struggles on the international stage, admitting the disappointment of seeing the national team bow out at the group phase of both the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations in successive tournaments.
Boateng was part of the technical bench during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Ghana endured a frustrating campaign. Despite flashes of promise, the Black Stars managed just one victory from three matches, suffering two defeats that ultimately condemned them to another early exit.
Following that tournament, head coach Otto Addo stepped aside, and the Ghana Football Association appointed veteran tactician Chris Hughton as substantive head coach. Boateng remained within the technical setup as Hughton’s assistant, hoping for a turnaround at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
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However, the tournament unfolded in similarly disappointing fashion. Ghana failed to register a single win, settling for two draws and a defeat, an outcome that again saw the Black Stars eliminated before the knockout stages.
Speaking in an interview with Premier League Production, Boateng did not hide his frustration over the team’s inability to progress under two different coaching regimes.
“I worked with Otto Addo and Chris Hughton, but it was disappointing that we could not qualify from the group phase of the World Cup and the AFCON. Working for Ghana was an honour,” he told Premier League Production.
Beyond results, Boateng highlighted the deep personal significance of serving the national team, describing his role as both emotional and meaningful. The former Aston Villa Under-23 head coach explained that his commitment to Ghana went beyond professional duty.
“I always feel I owe Ghana something because I could not play for them, and so when I had the opportunity to work as an assistant coach, I was honoured,” Boateng added.
In the aftermath of the AFCON disappointment in Ivory Coast, the Ghana Football Association took decisive action, dissolving the entire technical team. That move eventually cleared the path for Otto Addo to return as head coach, as Ghana once again looks to rebuild and restore pride in the Black Stars.
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Boateng’s reflections underline not just the pain of failure, but also the deep sense of responsibility and pride that comes with representing Ghana at the highest level, even from the touchline.
