Laryea Kingston Ready for Black Stars Challenge, Calls for Ghana’s Long-Term Revival

Former Ghana star backs patience over quick fixes

Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has thrown his weight behind patience and long-term planning rather than seeking another quick-fix solution for the Black Stars. The Black Stars failed to advance from the World Cup group stage for the second consecutive tournament and now find themselves without a permanent head coach following Carlos Queiroz’s resignation.

Ghana will search for their fourth head coach since winning AFCON 2015, and Kingston has been quick to make his stance on the nation’s course clear should they seek his services.

Ready if Needed but Prioritize Rebuilding Black Stars from the Roots

In a recent radio interview, Kingston said he will be ready should the need arise but hopes Ghana takes the time to rebuild the team. The former Black Stars winger believes Ghana has the players to match it with any team in Africa but will only find success when the GFA provides any appointed coach enough time to rebuild the team philosophically. That philosophy, he added, should extend beyond a single AFCON or World Cup qualifying cycle.

Kingston, born on 24 August 1980, is a former Ghanaian footballer who played as a winger. He represented Ghana at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and 2006 FIFA World Cup. The winger won 41 caps and scored six goals for the Black Stars.

Kingston began his professional career with Dutch club SC Herenveen. He later played for Russian Premier League club FC Rubin Kazan, Scottish club Heart of Midlothian F.C., and more. Since retiring, Kingston has worked as a coach and youth developer within Ghanaian football.

Fans and Stakeholders Divided over what’s Next for Ghana

Ghanaian football supporters, the oddsmakers on the BettingTop10 Ghana sportsbook comparison platform, and stakeholders are divided over what direction the country should go in the coming years. Still, Kingston was confident that if they allowed time and invested in the right areas, they would return to contesting for trophies. Kingston, who currently works as a coach, said representing Ghana will always be an honor whether on the pitch or from the sidelines.

While he confirmed that he has not had any talks with the GFA or anyone representing them about the vacant position, he was sure he would love the experience if given the chance. More importantly, the former Black Stars winger wants patience from all parties and time afforded to whoever is appointed to do their job. He highlighted the need to build a competitive team capable of challenging on all fronts, rather than bringing in coaches expected to deliver trophies immediately.

Support Local Coaches

Kingston favored allowing local coaches the chance to lead the team. He felt Ghana had a rich pool of former internationals who have coached or are currently coaching at various levels both in Ghana and abroad.

“The GFA can trust local coaches. We have coaches who have been playing for Ghana and have also gone out to gain experience.”

Kingston did not stop there and felt investing in local coaches should be part of a larger plan to improve football in Ghana rather than the go-to solution when the team struggles.

“If we keep educating ourselves regularly, bring the young coaches along and allow them the chance to grow, then our football will improve from the grassroots to the senior national team.”

Ghana Faces a Defining Moment

Queiroz left Ghana with three years remaining on his initial four-year contract, but Kingston felt Ghana should stop judging coaches on short-term successes like tournaments. He believes Ghana needs a football identity that focuses on player development, but that can only happen if coaches are allowed to implement their ideas and work with young talents through the senior national team. You can only do that when you’ve got enough time.”