There is conflict in the Black Stars – Ernest Thompson claims

Former Black Stars management committee member Ernest Thompson has claimed there is conflict within the team following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.The experienced football administrator stated that the captaincy issue has divided the squad into two factions, with Jordan Ayew leading one and Mohammed Kudus leading the other.Since taking over in March 2024, coach Otto Addo has made three changes to the Black Stars captaincy, first removing Andre Ayew and giving the armband to Thomas Partey. When Partey was unavailable, Addo bypassed Jordan Ayew and handed the leadership to Kudus before returning it to Jordan Ayew.That team you’re calling the Black Stars is not a team; it is a group of individuals who are very conflicted. There’s so much conflict in that team. Kurt and the rest should take responsibility for keeping things to themselves, Thompson told Joy Sports.There’s spiritualism in that team; there’s conflict in that team. They only come and stand on the pitch as if they are together. It’s not a football team we have there; it’s a group of individuals who are highly conflicted.Ask yourself, especially if you’re experienced in football administration: why would eight players tell you they are not available simply because the captaincy has been given back to Jordan [Ayew]? There’s a problem there. Don’t come and tell me that they are not available because they are injured. No!It’s because they are divided. When it’s Kudus [Mohammed], some people will like to play and play well. When it’s Jordan [Ayew], there’s a problem. Why would Djiku not come and play, and the next time you see him, he’s playing? Why would the whole captain say he’s ill, and the next time, he’s playing? Because I know the rules, and the rule is that if he’s injured, you can summon him to be examined, but when he says he’s ill and can’t sit in a plane, there isn’t much you can do.Otto Addos future has become a topical issue since, with the Ghana Football Association set to consider his future in the coming days.