Sports
Gaging sports gains in 2024
In 10 days’ time, the year 2024 will pass as one of the most eventful years for sports as a nation.
It may be so due to the myriad of sports activities that got the various national teams and individual clubs busy with international competitions.
But one may also be right in asking what is there to show for those adventures.
Truthfully, one would prefer to walk from Accra to Tema than attempting to answer such a question.
Although there were a few gains to celebrate, the weight of failure clearly overshadows it and leaves sports fanatics in wonder land; uncertain about the direction of sports in Ghana.
Taking stock of the country’s fortunes regarding sports is more or less an annual ritual that usually provide similar answers years in and out; and this year will be no exception.
On our sports calendar, football has been the busiest with the Black Stars involved in FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
The latter left Ghanaians heartbroken with an unprecedented outcome.
In a group that had Angola, Sudan and Niger, the Black Stars failed to register a single win; losing three games and drawing the same number to finish at the rock bottom of the table with three points.
Eventually, the group was won by Angola’s Palencas Negras and Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan.
The USA, Canada and Mexico World Cup 2026 qualifiers, however, appears to be going well for the Stars with Ghana in second position behind Comoros with the same number of points – nine, out of four matches.
Other countries in Ghana’s group (Group I) include Madagascar, Mali, Central African Republic and Chad, the whipping boys in the group.
The Stars started the qualifers well, chalking a 1-0 home win over Madagascar but was pegged back by Comoros which beat Ghana 1-0.
The team, however, bounced back from that disappointment to beat Mali 2-1 in Bamako in one of the team’s finest performances in the year under review and recorded a 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic (CAF).
At the centre of the Black Stars performance storm was Head Coach Otto Addo who came under an avalanche of criticism for the team’s poor performance.
Ghana Football Association president, Kurt Okraku was also not spared of the backlash as his resignation became the clarion call on the lips of many.
But the two have shown they have very thick skin or might have developed a ‘dead goat’ syndrome, granting them the immunity to withstand the fiery darts of their critics.
On the continental level, FC Samartex and Nsoatreman FC made attempts to rescue Ghana’s free fall but that failed to materialise as their challenges in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup competitions collapsed before the league stages.
But there was success for Ghana in football following gold medal performances from the male and female teams in the African Games football competition.
It appears some successes were chalked at the sub-continental level with Kurt Okraku reaping a few results from the WAFU B level.
The Golden Arms, the national armwrestling team was obviously the best team having snatched a total of 41 medals at the African Games consisting of eight gold, 19 silver and 14 bronze medals.
Boxing recorded seven medals, athletics had six, weightlifting had three medals, hockey had two, and taekwondo recorded two medals while swimming had two and volleyball, one.
At the Paris Olympic Games, it was more of participation and acting as tourists than winning medals as Ghana fell short in all the disciplines competed.
But once again, it exposed the issues about poor preparation of athletes and lack of proper facilities back home to help local athletes.
Perhaps, one of the biggest shocks was the failure of the national boxing team, the Black Bombers to qualify for the Olympics.
Generally, it was not an encouraging performance from sports in the year. It actually marked a dip in performance as professional boxing failed to produce a world champion just like athletics, taekwondo, handball, badminton, table tennis, tennis and the others failed in their respective bids.
With a new government set to assume the reins of power and sports development to be championed by a new Sports Minister, it will be incumbent on the responsible agencies for sports development and promotion like the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the various sports federations to put their act together and work towards reviving Ghana sports to its past status.
By Andrew Nortey
The stage is set for what promises to be one of the most thrilling matches in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Black Stars of Ghana lock horns with Croatia in a crucial encounter today.
With a place in the Round of 32 hanging in the balance, both teams know there will be no room for mistakes as 90 minutes of high drama awaits football fans, especially in Ghana and across the globe.
The Black Stars arrive at the Mundial with confidence running through the camp after earning four points from their opening two matches.
A last gasp victory over Panama and a disciplined draw against the Three Lions of England have placed the Black Stars in a strong position heading into the final group game.
Croatia, however, stand in the way after the European giants bounced back from a disappointing defeat to England by edging Panama 1-0, a result that has now placed their sights firmly on qualification.
The result has created a winner takes all atmosphere that is expected to produce fireworks from the first whistle to the last.
For Ghana, the mission is clear, as another positive result will bring the Black Stars closer to the knockout stage and could mark another memorable chapter in the country’s rich football history at the World Cup.
The Black Stars have shown courage, discipline and determination throughout the tournament.
They have defended bravely, battled fiercely and refused to be intimidated by bigger opponents.
Their impressive defensive record has become one of the talking points of the competition among many football fans after their last game against England where some fans and pundits described the performance as frustrating and called the approach as a ‘Haram football.’
After two matches, Ghana remain one of the few teams yet to concede a goal; shot stopper, Benjamin Asare, has been the best so far by keeping Ghana’s post safe.
Asare, along with his backline will face its toughest challenge yet against a Croatian side packed with quality and experience.
At the heart of Croatia’s challenge is veteran midfield maestro, Luka Modric.
Even at 40 years old, the Croatian captain continues to pull the strings with remarkable composure and intelligence.
His battle against Ghana’s midfield of Thomas Partey, youngster Caleb Yirenkyi and Kwasi Sibo could shape the outcome of the contest.
Thomas Partey and his cohorts will carry the responsibility of controlling the midfield battle and breaking up Croatia’s attacks.
In attack, the pace and power of Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah and Fatawu Issahaku will prove decisive when given the nod.
Their ability to burst past defenders and create danger on the counter-attack may become one of Ghana’s biggest weapons.
Captain Jordan Ayew is expected to provide leadership and experience in what promises to be a tense and emotional contest.
The tactical battle between the two coaches is equally fascinating.
Ghana coach, Carlos Queiroz, has built a disciplined side that values organisation and teamwork.
His approach has frustrated opponents to earn valuable results.
Croatia coach, Zlatko Dalic, on the other hand, prefers possession based football and attacking movement.
His team will likely dominate the ball and attempt to dictate the tempo from midfield.
The clash of styles promises an exciting contest between patience and aggression, defence and attack, youth and experience.
History suggests Croatia have the advantage over the Black Stars with the Europeans finishing as runners-up at the 2018 World Cup and claimed third place in 2022.
They know what it takes to survive on football’s biggest stage yet Ghana have built a reputation for upsetting the odds when the stakes are highest.
The memories of the Black Stars’ historic run to the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010 continue to inspire a new generation of players.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
The confidence gained from holding England to a draw could also prove priceless.
Many football fans now believe the Black Stars are capable of going even further in this tournament.
Today’s clash is expected to attract millions of viewers eager to witness a battle between African adventure and determination and European experience.
Every tackle, every pass and every chance could prove decisive.
The atmosphere inside the stadium is expected to be electric as supporters from both nations create a colourful and passionate spectacle.
The high tension, the enormous stakes and the intense pressure. But these are the moments footballers dream about.
For Ghana, this is more than just a football match.
It is an opportunity to announce themselves as serious contenders and keep the nation’s World Cup dream alive.
When the referee blows the whistle today, fans should prepare for a night of drama, excitement and unforgettable moments.
If the opening two matches are anything to go by, this encounter has all the ingredients of a World Cup classic.
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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