Looking for a list of Ghana Black Stars captains? The Ghana Black Stars is the senior national team of Ghana and an iconic symbol in world football.
Ghana’s first captain was Abubakari Damba, followed by Abedi Pele Ayew while their current captain is Andre Ayew.
Asamoah Gyan, who captained the team to the 2015 AFCON tournament, is now in India playing for NorthEast United FC. He is also the top scorer in Ghana with 51 international goals and is also the oldest player at 37 years old.
Other notable players include Dede Ayew -the best player in Ghana 2022- and his father, Abedi Pele, who scored 33 goals while representing Ghana during his career.
List of Ghana Black Stars captains
Many outstanding captains have taken the reigns throughout its history and held their teams up to high standards, here’s a comprehensive list of all past captains of the Ghana Black Stars:
Awuley Quaye (1978)
Ghana’s Black Stars have had some iconic captains over the years, with Emanuel Awuley Quaye, commonly referred to as Awulley Senior Quaye, leading the side to victory in the 1978 African Cup of Nations.
He was supported by a team of talented players such as Carr, F. Salifu, Chesco, Paha, Ansah and Dadzie among others.
Emanuel Awuley Quaye is also the father of Abdullah Quaye and Lawrence Quaye. He is fondly remembered for captaining Ghana to its third AFCON win.
Kuuku Dadzie (1980–1982)
Kuuku Dadzie was an iconic name in Ghanaian soccer history. As a defender for the national team from the 1970s through to the early 1980s, he helped lead his team to victory in 1978 and 1980’s African Cup of Nations tournaments.
Additionally, he was captain of the national team during this time. His skill as a centre-back made him an influential figure in Ghanaian soccer, and his legacy continues to live on today.
Emmanuel Quarshie (1982–1984)
Emmanuel Quarshie was a Ghanaian footballer who played mainly as a forward and won the African Cup of Nations with Ghana in 1982 under his captainship. He appeared in one game of the 1978 AFCON, and he was also part of the 1980 AFCON squad.
Quarshie was awarded ‘Team of the Tournament’ at the 1982 AFCON tournament, in addition to other accolades such as being a top scorer for Ghana Premier League and a member of the winning squad for both the 3rd and 4th titles of the African Cup of Nations.
Unfortunately, Quarshie passed away from throat cancer after having been admitted to an Egyptian hospital in 2013 at age 59.
Isaac Paha (1984)
In 1984, Isaac Paha achieved the honour of captaining the Ghana Black Stars. He is the younger brother of P.S.K. Paha, who was assistant captain of the Black Stars during the 1978 African Cup of Nations tournament.
Such a feat makes this family an unforgettable part in Ghana football history!
James Kwesi Appiah (1984–1992)
Former Ghanaian football player and manager James Kwesi Appiah is best known for his international career. During his playing days, Appiah captained the Ghanaian national team from 1984 to 1992, making appearances in two of their FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Additionally, he was part of the 1982 Black Stars squad that won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Today, at 62 years old, he continues to be an inspiring role model to many.
Abedi Ayew “Pele” (1992–1998)
Abedi Ayew, famously known as “Pele”, is widely regarded as the greatest African footballer of all time. Despite a successful professional career with both club and country, Pele never had the chance to appear in a FIFA World Cup: during his time, Ghana failed to qualify for the tournament.
Nonetheless, throughout the six years he served as captain of Ghana’s national team, Pele was a regular at the African Cup of Nations competitions and even led the Black Stars to victory in 1982.
Charles Akonnor (1999–2001)
Charles Akonnor served as captain of the Ghana national football team, nicknamed the Black Stars, for three years following soccer legend Abedi Pele’s retirement.
Despite being dropped from the team after applying and receiving German citizenship, Akonnor still managed to make 51 international appearances with the Black Stars.
Stephen Appiah (2002–2010)
Stephen Appiah is a retired Ghanaian footballer who made an impressive impact on the international soccer scene. He was a key part of the team that led Ghana to its first World Cup in 2006 and again in 2010, and was also the captain of the national side at the time.
Appiah had a total of 67 caps for Ghana and scored 14 international goals during his time as an active player.
John Mensah (2010–2012)
John Mensah was a Centre back and regular member of the Ghana national team. He earned 86 caps and scored 3 goals while playing for the Black Stars.
In addition, he served as the assistant captain before succeeding Stephen Appiah as captain of the team.
Asamoah Gyan (2012–2019)
Asamoah Gyan is a well-known Ghanaian football player who has etched his name into the history books. As captain of the Black Stars, he famously became the top goal scorer for Ghana with 51 goals and held the record of highest African goal scorer in World Cup competitions with 6 goals.
His performance at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cups helped him surpass Roger Milla’s remarkable 5 goals milestone.
André Ayew (2019–present)
André Morgan Rami Ayew, commonly known as Dede Ayew, is a professional footballer and the current captain of Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars.
He is the second son of former football legend Abedi “Pele” Ayew and his two brothers, Ibrahim and Jordan are also professional players.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
