Daniel Opare expresses frustration over the challenges faced by Ghanaian football.

[caption id="attachment_1322724" align="alignnone" width="612"] AUGSBURG, GERMANY - DECEMBER 16: Daniel Opare of Augsburg reacts after sustaining an injury during the Bundesliga clash between FC Augsburg and Sport-Club Freiburg at WWK-Arena on December 16, 2017 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)[/caption]Former Ghanaian defender Daniel Opare has issued a grave warning regarding the future of the senior national team, asserting that the Black Stars are destined for years of hardship unless football officials promptly redirect their focus and resources towards grassroots development. In a discussion on TV3's Mundial Daily on Tuesday evening, the 2009 U-20 World Cup champion voiced his profound frustration over the management of youth football in the country, labeling the current system as "a joke." "I believe we are engaging in too many meaningless activities. It’s a farce. And expressing this makes me quite upset. When I speak out, they claim I talk excessively. But this is the reality. I am urging the Federation to step up their game," Opare stated. The former Real Madrid Castilla defender criticized the overwhelming number of insignificant matches and the insufficient support for developmental leagues, calling for the Ghana Football Association to completely reassess its strategy. Opare emphasized that revitalizing Ghanaian football hinges on a committed financial investment at the foundational levels of the sport, particularly aimed at local youth teams. "They must support the Colts teams. Financial resources should be directed there. It’s essential to ensure these young talents have the facilities necessary for their growth," he remarked. Opare further expressed concern over the nation’s sports infrastructure, cautioning that inadequate facilities are detrimental to young athletes. **"For matters like hosting tournaments, significant investment is required to enhance our facilities. Honestly, our infrastructure is lacking. I won’t pretend otherwise simply because I’m Ghanaian. Our facilities are subpar. The teams lack proper amenities. I believe we are not taking football seriously, and this is harming future generations, as that’s where we all honed our skills,"** he added. Without a solid pipeline of talent, Opare cautioned that the decline of the senior national team will only intensify, as the local system will fail to produce elite players. **"Otherwise, the Black Stars will continue to suffer, grappling for years ahead because we won’t have the necessary talent to draw from. And that’s the reality."**