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Nana Kwasi Gyan-Appenteng’s AFCON 24-2
What shall we say – about the 42-year curse on the Black Stars?
Putting an optimistic gloss on a Black Stars match has become increasingly demanding, even at the best of times.
The worst of times demand more cryptic adjectives that suppress instead of describing the reality of our mass depression. In that sense, the reporter must act in response to a psychological emergency instead of filling a gap of ignorance. In truth, it serves a better purpose to throw up one’s hands and ask: What shall we say?
Let us begin with the facts, or rather the fact. Ghana’s Black Stars lost their opening match of the 2024 AFCON tournament to Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks.
Cape Verde’s national team’s nickname comes from the country being a small island (obviously surrounded by the blue sea) with supersized ambitions.
In FIFA’s global ranking, Ghana is in the 61st position with Cape Verde at 74. On the field of play, the Sharks were better than the Stars in most departments, including ball possession, goal attempts, corner kicks, and shots on goal.
The most telling stat is this: the Cape Verde Goalkeeper did not have to make a single save. These are the facts. No adjectives required.
However, this is a match from which Ghana could have taken a point. The best we can say is that the Black Stars were on course to do so, but for a calamitous, ruinous, catastrophic defensive lapse in the dying minutes of the game.
That is our excuse, and we are sticking to it. The truth is bitter, but that is its taste, so we have to swallow it. We were second best for most of the evening, although again, we can point to refereeing decisions that could have gone our way if the gods of football had favoured us on the night.
To paraphrase MTN, the headline sponsor of the Black Stars, EVERYWHERE YOU GO, you will meet a Ghanaian coach, and as one of Ghana’s accredited 30 million coaches, I insist that we lost this opening match in the midfield.
Without any offence to the players, this coach believes that the Ghana formation cried out for at least two creative midfielders to hold the ball when it needed holding, to distribute it when that was needed, but to be accurate at all times, or most of the time.
That could have relieved the pressure on the full backs and the hapless goalkeeper, whose performance exemplifies a curious Akan word-play: kumfo-domfo: killer-redeemer. He was brilliant when he was, and out of his depth when he needed to stay between the sticks.
This was the first match, and it was against an opponent that should have shown Ghana a measure of respect, for history’s sake. But the days are long gone when teams used to fear the Black Stars. Post-Comoros, we Ghanaians fear every team.
What shall we say? On paper, our team is as good as any other team at this year’s AFCON. There were glimpses of the brilliance that is begging to come out but something is stopping the team from performing. If I am permitted to switch from coach to psychologist, I would suggest that the team don’t look like a happy bunch. Are we too hard on them, or perhaps the gods are to blame after all.
A couple of days ago, I watched a Citi News TV documentary on the Black Stars in which former Black Star legend George Alhassan explained that there is a curse on the team.
He explained that in 1982, the players felt betrayed when the PNDC Chairman and Head of State Flt Lt. Rawlings only gave them a salute after they won the cup for the fourth time. The precise moment of the curse was when they entered the team but that took them away from Burma Camp, where the snub occurred.
Obviously, the time has come to remove this curse, at least to prevent the Black Stars goalkeeper from grabbing empty air on the 90 minute mark.
Unfortunately, the little I know about reversing curses makes this a depressing prospect. As I understand it, a curse can be reversed only by the curser(s) at the same spot at which this curse was pronounced. Mr Alhassan said that the curse was laid collectively by the whole team.
The mere thought of assembling the 1982 Black Stars all in one bus at Burma Camp hurts my brain. I can’t think far. It is easier to remain a coach than a curse remover; or put another way, we need a person who can remove this curse as the national coach.
kgapenteng@gmail.com
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
