In less than a month, Ghana’s Black Stars will be tossing up their legs in a vigorous attempt to muster a strong display when they open up their campaign against Portugal on November 24.

The Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portuguese team beat the Stars 2-1 (Ghana scored an own goal) in the final group game at the Brazil 2014 World Cup tournament – an upshot that booted Ghana out of the campaign.

It was a calamitous first round exit in a World Cup that the Stars had astounded football’s most fastidious audience in their previous appearances.

In 2006, Ghana’s maiden appearance was celebrated wildly after the team knocked its way into the second round, having earlier accounted for the Czech Republic – then the world’s Number 2 best outfit.

Four years later in Africa – staged by South Africa – the continent’s maiden Mundial, the Stars swaggered their way to the quarter final stage, and were just seconds away from cracking a historic semis spot against Uruguay before Luis Suarez, hand-scooped a goal-bound ball from the net.

Sadly, the ensuing spot-kick was blown off by one of the tournament’s star players, Asamoah Gyan. Ghanaian hearts were shattered! No African team had come that close to breaking the semi-final hoodoo.

It was so disconcerting, therefore, when the Stars blew it up in the Brazil 2014 tournament as players held the nation to ransom, demanding to be paid their appearance fees and even boycotted training a session ahead of their final group game against Portugal.

Truth is that the depth of indiscipline in the Ghana camp was aberrant, leaving many wondering whether it was the same side that held eventual winners – Germany, to that pulsating 2-2 draw in the team’s second group game.

That, midfielder Sulley Muntari and management member Moses Parker, could go to the extent of trading fisticuffs and destroying valuables – in the full glare of other players and members of the team, should tell you the depth in which Team Ghana sunk.

As we embark on yet another campaign, this time in Qatar, the Football Authorities and the sector Ministry must begin to work hand-in-hand to ensure that we have a very serene atmosphere in the team’s camp.

The other day, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) triggered off a nationwide fasting and prayers for the Black Stars ahead of the team’s involvement in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

According to the FA, it formed part of a series of activities to usher the Stars into the Qatar tournament. Today, the event is expected to climax with a dinner involving legends of the Ghanaian game.

Of course, we have been told to spare some moment of prayer and fasting for the Black Stars. The purpose is to banish the demons and empower the team to shine in Qatar.

To be fair, the idea is not a bad one since prayer is key. It is an important component of life, especially for those who believe in spirituality.

But one thing we must not lose sight of is the fact that two of our group opponents in Qatar, Portugal and Uruguay are coming from a Christian nation that believes a lot in prayer and fasting, too.  Yet, we have not heard any of those countries talk about fasting and prayer ahead of the Mundial.

Have you heard of the saying that ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves?’ It only tells you that God is for everybody. He does not love Ghana more than any other country. That is why we need to work our pants off and ensure we get it right.

Our players would have to prepare adequately well for the tournament and toughen up mentally and physically.

Indeed, God can only bless your hand when you have something to show for it. So, even though the prayer and fasting might be important, there is more to them.

PlainTalk with John Vigah