Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has blamed what he describes as age cheating for the Black Stars’ struggles at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, arguing that the practice has left the national team with players who are no longer able to meet the demands of top level football.
Speaking in an interview with Graphic Sports, the veteran football administrator said Ghana must abandon the long criticised concept of “football age” and embrace honesty over players’ actual ages if the country hopes to restore its fortunes on the international stage.
According to him, the physical decline of several players has become evident during the tournament, affecting the team’s competitiveness.
“Age has affected most of our players. We must stop the football age thing and be sincere with ourselves because it is affecting us,” he said.
Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe maintained that Ghana’s football future depends on creating room for younger players instead of holding on to ageing footballers beyond their peak years.
He argued that every player eventually reaches a stage where the next generation should be given the opportunity to step in.
“Age must be taken seriously in our football. When a player has reached the appropriate age, he must make way for younger ones to take over,” the veteran football administrator emphasized.
