Sports
Don’t let criticism dampen you – Sports Minister Kofi Adams charges Black Stars
Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has urged the Black Stars to learn from their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign and stay focused on upcoming assignments after Ghana’s defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.
Addressing the team after the game at Kansas City Stadium, Hon. Adams praised the squad’s performance despite the exit.
“We have what it takes to partake in every World Cup and get out of the group stages and even go further,” he said.
The minister added that “So, we didn’t make it. Our wish was that we would have carried the day. But we played so well and I believe we don’t regret we went in. Everybody is congratulating us that we have a good team. It means you exhibited something good on the pitch.”
The Sports Minister called on the players to treat mistakes made in the tournament as lessons for the future.
“What we need is, the very few mistakes that we made becomes a learning platform for all of us. You become a better player of yourself in the various roles that you play in the team. It should not dampen you,” he said.
Mr. Adams echoed Coach Carlos Queiroz’s team-first philosophy and reminded the players that national duty continues with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers ahead.
He added, “Like the coach said, he has a team and not individual skilful players. So, we came as a team, we played as a team, we are returning as a team. And to continue our individual careers also. So, it is not the end of international competitions. We are going to be calling on you, and you would have to be responding to these calls for the various qualifiers that are ahead of us.”
He also had a message for the players regarding public reaction to the team’s exit.
“The country is grateful for what we have done. Let’s learn lessons out of whatever situation that arose and brought us to this point. I know as we leave here, those of you who love to go on social media, you will see all manner of postings and all manner of analysis and all manner of criticisms,” he said.
“Please and please, you are professional ballers. Let no such comment dampen anyone. If for anything, it should motivate you to do more. Those who are watching, they will do their own analysis. Don’t let it dampen any one of you. It should motivate you to be a better person of yourselves,” he advised.
“You came as a team, you have played as a team, you have done what we can do and we have reached this point. We are grateful for the service you rendered the country and the country is grateful.” The Minister added.
The race for the Ghana Premier League (GPL) title, continental places and survival will come to play again this weekend as Matchweek 11 serves up nine fixtures including heavyweight encounters involving Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and defending champions Medeama SC.
With only one point separating leaders Medeama SC and second placed Hearts of Oak after 10 matches, the title race is beginning to gather momentum.
Medeama lead the standings with 21 points, while Hearts are breathing down their necks with 20. Port City FC and FC Samartex are also firmly in the picture with 18 points each, making this weekend’s fixtures particularly important.
At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Asante Kotoko face Bibiani Gold Stars in one of the weekend’s biggest attractions.
The Porcupine Warriors have plenty to prove after their painful 2-1 defeat to Berekum Chelsea last weekend.
The defeat left Kotoko 10th on the table with 13 points after 10 matches, a position that does not reflect the club’s ambitions.
They must now respond against a Gold Stars side that will also be searching for consistency after being held to a goalless draw by Aduana FC.
Another major test awaits Hearts when they travel to Samreboi to face FC Samartex 1996 at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.
A victory could move either side closer to the top of the table, making this one of the most important fixtures of the weekend.
League leaders Medeama SC, meanwhile, travel to Wenchi to face Young Apostles at the Wenchi Stadium.
The defending champions have maintained their position at the summit with 21 points and will be determined to protect their lead.
At the Nana Agyemang Badu II Park, Aduana FC host Bechem United in a regional contest that could have an impact on the top-four race.
The fight for survival will also take centre stage when Heart of Lions welcome Dreams FC to Kpando Stadium today.
Dreams are bottom of the table with seven points, while Heart of Lions have 11 and are also dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Both clubs need points badly, and the outcome could have serious consequences for their campaigns.
Sunday’s action also includes Swedru All Blacks against Berekum Chelsea at the Swedru Stadium.
At the AAK II Sports Arena in Basake, Basake Holy Stars host Vision FC in another important encounter for two sides seeking greater consistency.
Elsewhere, FC Ashantigold welcome Karela United to the Len Clay Stadium, while Debibi United take on Port City FC.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Black Stars Acting Head Coach Kim Lars Björkegren will make history as the first coach to be in charge of two senior national teams of Ghana, the Black Stars and their female counterparts, the Black Queens; even if for just two matches.
The Swedish tactician took over the reins of the Black Queens after Swiss trainer, Nora Huptle abandoned ship for a more rewarding job with Zambia.
His performance has been visible to all, qualifying the Black Queens to the Africa Women Cup of Nation (AWCON) where he led the team to a respectable third position.
In the midst of the trouble within the Black Stars that resulted in firing of coaches, Björkegren, in the estimation of a few, looked like the one with the magic wand to stabilize the ship.
His appointment may have come to many with shock but from where I stand, it was the best decision by the FA; and very timely.
Possibly, his demeanour, relative peace in the Black Queens and subsequent improvement may have triggered the decision to give him a try.
Secondly, the short period between the qualifiers would not give a search committee ample time to scout for a long term coach.
Unlike the travel-happy Black Stars coaches, Björkegren is mostly in Ghana and has the luxury of monitoring the local talents that formed the nucleus of the Queens.
Björkegren is coming in at a time when the hope and spirit of the Black Stars seem to have vanished into thin air after losing their opening two AFCON qualifiers to Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan and The Gambia in Accra.
That fuelled the calls for the sack of Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars coach as many clamoured for the appointment of a local coach.
Björkegren may not be the coach many may have expected but the gamble was worth taking.
As he takes over the reins of the Black Stars, it is the hope that he would widen the selection net for local players who are often reared as second fiddle to foreign based players.
In Ghana’s last two games against Cote D’Ivoire and The Gambia, Ghana played like novices, showing little or no difference between both set of players.
The teams under Otto Addo and Queiroz in reality had only one local player in the person of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare. Dreams FC defender, Philemon Baffour, just like some others, were occasionally invited but their best positions were on the bench.
With Björkegren in charge ably supported by coaches who are active in the local game, Ghanaians would want to see a change in that order.
On Monday when he handed call-ups to three new home-based players for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Somalia, it spread some excitement among some fans.
Björkegren’s squad created spaces for Musa Hamzata of Asante Kotoko SC, and Medeama SC duo of EmmanuelAnnor and Etse Dogli.
These are players that did perform creditably for their respective clubs.
That raises the local component to four. This is an indication that Björkegren has faith in the local players and one of the ways to demonstrate this is by giving them the chance to feature in the Somalia double-header.
I have no doubt these players will perform when given the chance but even if they underperform, that should be no big deal because Ghana watched with awe in Accra when the so called big boys played as if they were being given some raw lessons.
For Ghana to develop the game and raise the standard, that feat must be overcome and it’s important that the process starts with Somalia.
By Andrew Nortey
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