Sports
Dauda, apologise for your shameful howler! Don’t blame Ghanaians

When you hear the distressing statement: “Wonders will never end,” the speaker may have been racked by an uncomfortable stunning revelation.
Perhaps, in the same vein, one will be compared to borrow that disquieting phrase in response to a statement by former Black Stars goalkeeper Fatau Dauda that sought to blame Ghanaians for the Black Stars’ shambolic performance at the Brazil 2014 World Cup tournament.
He told Atinka TV that Ghanaians had to share in the blame for the let-down. How?
Hear him:”If you ask me that question, the best answer is that everyone – including Ghanaians must be blamed. Like I said, we all caused it because nothing happened among us (Players],”he said, proceeding to deny any fracas in the team’s camp.
“I didn’t see any fight among players, maybe it happened and I didn’t see. We never said they should pay us before honouring the final group match against Portugal,” he told Atinka TV last week.
Blue blistering barnacles! How on earth would you attribute the Stars’ not-up-to-scratch output to the fans – some of whom had fasted for the team to drive beyond the quarter final berth of South Africa 2010 – to make it to the last four.
Question is, what role did Ghanaians play in the Stars’ 1-2 loss to USA in the team’s opening game? In a post-match interview after the loss, did Coach Kwasi Appiah not say he rested his ‘killer players’ strategically because he wanted his opponents to run out of steam before introducing them? Did Ghanaians motivate that ham-fisted inept decision?
Now, after holding eventual winners Germany to that intriguingly pulsating 2-2 draw in the second group game, Ghana needed to defeat Portugal to qualify to the next round. But what happened? Dauda incredibly gifted Portugal’s poster-boy Cristiano Ronaldo a cheap goal – a howler that culminated in the Stars’ 2-1 loss – ultimately eliminating them from a tournament experts had tipped them to go far.
Indeed, none of Ghana’s players in the Brazil 2014 tournament have the moral justification to criticise anybody because they let down the nation fatally when so much was expected of them.
They demanded a $100,000 appearance fee; held the nation to ransom – and broke the nation’s heart even though they were handed the monies they requested before the crucial Portugal game.
That key players: Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were fired from camp ahead of the final game was an indication of the fact that all was not well.
What, perhaps, Ghanaians want from Dauda is to render a grave apology for that fatal howler and not to apportion unnecessary blame on the clean-handed.
Good such characters are no more part of the present national team. They have seen their best, and we can only look forward!
Sports
Benjamin Asare’s call-up inspires local players – Osei Asibey

Hearts of Oak defender, Osei Asibey, has acknowledged that the call-up of Benjamin Asare, the current number one goalkeeper of the Ghana Black Stars, has given confidence to many local players to work hard.
Asibey explained that playing for the senior national team is time-based, and at the right time, every local player will get their chance.
“The Black Stars belong to Ghanaians, and everybody will get the chance to play for the Black Stars when the time is right. Benjamin Asare is a local player, and he has gotten the chance. I’m sure when it is our time, the country would call us to serve,” he asserted
Osei Asibey added that Asare’s achievement shows that with hard work, local players can also receive Black Stars call-ups.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Sports
World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana beats Mali to boost qualification hopes

The Ghana Black Stars on Monday evening secured a vital 1–0 win over Mali in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a result that strengthens their chances of booking a ticket to the 2026 tournament.
The Match
The only goal of the game came in the 52nd minute when Alexander Djiku powered home a header to put Ghana ahead at the charged Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana dominated possession and created more chances, with Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus troubling the Malian defense.
Coach Otto Addo’s side managed the game well, with substitutes, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Iñaki Williams and Joseph Paintsil helping to protect the narrow lead.
Mali pushed for an equalizer but Ghana’s defense held firm until the final whistle.
What the win means
The victory takes Ghana to the top of their qualifying group, giving them a strong advantage in the race to secure a direct World Cup spot.
It also boosts team confidence as the Black Stars aim to make their fifth appearance at the global showpiece.
Games Remaining and Qualification Path
Ghana now has two games left in the qualifiers. To qualify directly, they must finish first in their group.
If they end up second, they will have to compete in the CAF play-offs to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
About the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The next FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, and run until July 19, 2026. For the first time in history, the tournament will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the usual 32.
It will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches spread across 16 cities.
By: Jacob Aggrey