Sports
Tony Baffoe refutes claims about Black Stars captaincy
Ex-Black Stars and FC Mainz 05 defender, Anthony Baffoe has refuted claims by former teammate Anthony Yeboah that he refused to hand over the captain’s armband despite pleas from the latter’s management ahead of the 1992 AFCON final against Côte d’Ivoire.
Following the suspension of Abedi Pele, Tony Baffoe was handed the captain’s armband ahead of Tony Yeboah who was the deputy to the Maestro.
According to Anthony Yeboah, Baffoe did not deserve to be named captain of the side as that was his first tournament and there were older-serving Black Stars players like himself.
Yeboah then claimed that Baffoe refused to hand him the captain’s armband despite calls from his manager to do so.
“To be honest I was very surprised and at the same time, the Kumasi group was shocked so it was affecting us during the game. They knew I was the assistant captain. That time Tony Baffoe was new in the national team and shouldn’t have been captain”. He shared with veteran journalist, Kwabena Yeboah.
”My manager even called Tony [Baffoe] and asked him to give me the armband but he refused,” Yeboah said.
In an interview on GTV Sports+, the former Black Stars defender, Tony Baffoe described his appointment as skipper as a surprise.
“I remember we were having a team meeting and Otto Pfister announced Anthony Baffoe will be the captain of the team, that’s how the news got to me”.
The former Black Stars defender, who shared a room with Abedi Pele during the tournament, stated that he never had a conversation with ‘The Maestro’ on the captaincy.
“Let me reveal something interesting. People thought Abedi Pele had a hand in my selection as captain. Abedi never mentioned anything about captaincy to me and this I can assure you.”
Contrary to the account of Tony Yeboah, Baffoe stated that he was never contacted by Yeboah’s management team.
“I didn’t have a manager, I worked with a lawyer. To set the record straight, I saw an interview that Anthony Yeboah said his manager called me to speak to me and management to hand the armband to him. Nobody called me. It is not true”. –Citinewsroom
Black Stars midfielder Kwasi Sibo says the team is determined to begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with victory against Panama despite the absence of key midfielder Thomas Partey.
Partey will miss Ghana’s Group L opener in Toronto after Canadian authorities denied him entry into the country.
A Canadian court on Tuesday also rejected an emergency appeal seeking to overturn the decision. Canadian authorities ruled that he was inadmissible under the country’s immigration laws.
Reports indicate that the decision was linked to ongoing criminal charges he faces in the United Kingdom, which he denies.
Canadian officials also cited issues relating to information provided in his visa application.
His absence is a major blow for Ghana, with the experienced midfielder widely regarded as one of the country’s strongest players in the middle of the park and a key figure in the Black Stars setup.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup clash, Sibo said the players are united behind their teammate and want to deliver a positive result for him.
“Our coach always says whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Our brother has been through a lot these days, and we are always with him. He is one of our biggest stars” he said.
The midfielder noted that Partey has been part of Ghana’s journey from the beginning of the World Cup campaign, making his absence particularly difficult for the squad.
“We have to make sure we win the game for him as a family and make him happy,” Sibo said.
He admitted that it would be painful to play Ghana’s first match on football’s biggest stage without the former Arsenal midfielder but insisted the players are motivated to make him proud.
“It hurts that we are playing our first game at this big stage and he’s not with us. We are giving him our word that at the end of the 90 minutes, he will be happy,” he added.
Ghana will face Panama in its opening Group L match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Black Stars seek a strong start to a group that also includes England and Croatia.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, together with the Government and people of Ghana, has sent a strong message of support to the Black Stars ahead of their opening match against Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto, Canada.
In an official statement released by Presidency Communications on June 17, 2026, the President said the entire nation is behind the team as they begin their fifth World Cup appearance, describing it as a symbol of Ghana’s resilience and unity.
“Our gallant Black Stars, as you stand on the threshold of your first match against Panama in Toronto, the Government and the over thirty million people of Ghana stand firmly behind you,” the statement said.
It added that the players are carrying the hopes and dreams of Ghanaians everywhere, from Chorkor to Bole and across the entire country.
The statement also called on Ghanaians living in Canada and across North America to fully support the team in the stadium, describing them as the “12th Man.”
It encouraged them to fill the stands with national colours and support the players throughout the tournament.
At home, the Government said arrangements had been made to ensure nationwide television coverage of the tournament so that all citizens can follow the matches live.
According to the statement, this move is to ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of location, can watch and support the Black Stars.
The message urged the players to compete not only for the national flag but also for young Ghanaians who dream of following in their footsteps.
“The world is watching, and we are confident that the Black Star will shine brighter than ever before on this global stage,” the statement added.
Ghana will begin its World Cup campaign against Panama as part of Group L in Toronto.
By: Jacob Aggrey
