Former Ghana defender Daniel Opare has raised concerns about the structural makeup of the Ghana national football team, arguing that the side is still struggling to function as a unified unit despite boasting an impressive pool of individual talent.
With Ghana preparing for their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup after clinching one of Africa’s automatic qualification spots, expectations are once again building around the four-time African champions. However, Opare believes raw ability alone will not carry the team far on football’s biggest stage.
Drawn into a challenging Group L alongside England national football team, Croatia national football team, and Panama national football team, the Black Stars face a stern test that will demand more than flashes of brilliance.
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In an interview with JoySports, the former right-back, who was part of Ghana’s U-20 World Cup-winning squad, acknowledged the squad’s technical quality but emphasized the absence of continuity and chemistry as a major concern:
“We have incredible talent in the team, fantastic players, but I believe we need to focus on building a proper team. Sometimes you can have talent without having a team. I won’t go into too much detail, but one key thing is that we must keep these players together for a long time. Of course, changes can be made in cases like injuries, where others who deserve the opportunity can step in.
But if we keep changing players the way we change our clothes, it won’t help. Every time that happens, we break the team instead of building cohesion. We need to maintain the core, support and encourage them, and give them time to grow together. That’s the only way we can truly build a strong team.”
Opare’s remarks highlight a recurring issue that has plagued the national side in recent years: frequent squad rotations that disrupt rhythm and prevent long-term understanding among players.
Ghana will kick off their campaign against Panama on June 17, before taking on England on June 23, and concluding their group-stage fixtures against Croatia on June 27. With such high-caliber opposition, the call for stability and cohesion may prove crucial if the Black Stars are to make a meaningful impact.
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The 35-year-old retired from international football in 2025, bringing an end to a career that saw him earn 19 caps for Ghana.
