Oti Akenteng Calls for Standardized Guidelines for National Team Captaincy
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Technical Director, Francis Oti Akenteng, has called on the GFA to establish clear and consistent criteria for selecting captains of the national teams.
His appeal follows controversies surrounding recent captaincy decisions, including Mohammed Kudus being named captain for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Sudan.
The decision, which bypassed senior player Jordan Ayew in the absence of Thomas Partey, drew criticism as the Black Stars managed only a draw in the first leg and lost the second.
Jordan Ayew was later reinstated as captain for subsequent qualifiers against Angola and Niger but struggled to deliver winning results, further fueling the debate over leadership within the team.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Akenteng emphasized the importance of clear guidelines to prevent captaincy disputes.
“I think the Ghana Football Association should sit down and come out with laid-down criteria that will be used in appointing national team captains,” he said.
“Usually, when a new coach comes in, he is unsure whether to maintain the old captain or appoint a new one, and when he does, problems arise, even though there is some sort of criteria,” Akenteng added.
