Sports
Winning back a nation’s confidence
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BARELY a few days after taking over the reins of power in 2019, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) waged a vigorous campaign to ignite support for the Black Stars ahead of the start of the Cameroon 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The passion-igniting campaign was aimed at galvanizing unflinching support for the Stars and pluck back some love for the team. Players, coaches and executives of the GFA took centre stage in the #BringBackTheLove campaign – the FA having partnered some media outfits to robustly push the agenda.
This was done ahead of Ghana’s game against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in their Nations Cup qualifying opener at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Thursday November 14, 2019, and Sao Tome, four days later.
In all sincerity, the campaign was in order as affection for the Stars had slumped considerably, to the extent that sometimes when they were in action right here in Ghana, only a few were bothered.
Heartily, it went well – seemingly – as the Stars dealt with both Bafana and the Sao Tome lads to qualify for Cameroon 2021. South Africa stunningly failed to make it.
Truth is, the players’ own distressing attitude for the lust for money and concomitant lethargic performance, have viciously combined to portray a pathetic portrait of unpatriotism. It used to be a perception. Now, it is no more – supposedly.
The Brazil 2014 World Cup tournament, where the Black Stars were humiliatingly flushed out in the opening round, may have happened five years ago. Sadly, the ugly happenings of that ill-fated campaign appeared to be freshly etched on the minds of Ghanaians.
The money-kissing-orgy, holding of the nation to ransom, and the crass show of indiscipline, have all snowballed into a near-hate for the Stars.
Recently, too, the players have not shown enough passion in their Group G Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers – and now appear to be losing the ‘small’ gains of love again.
It is the reason Chief Scribe of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Tsum, is calling on the players to churn out a positive reaction with victories in the back-to-back qualifiers in order to win back the confidence of the public.
“Our expectation is that the team will give us a positive reaction by winning the two games against the Warriors. We expect the players to show hunger and desire on the field of play to restore public confidence,” he told the Times Sports on Tuesday.
Indeed, Ghanaians expect the players to demonstrate great derring-do on the field of play, be prepared to die out of exhaustion rather than give up, and must have a winning mentality always embossed on their minds as they go about their businesses. For now, they have not exhibited that kind of doughty character enough; which is why the players have come under an amperage of criticism over time.
They ought to play like champions and leave inspiringly fresh memories on the pitch. Champions are champions, not because they are necessarily the most physically able or the most physically talented side. Champions are champions because they honour their commitment. When they set out to do something they do it, without fail, without trepidation, without question – with certainty. That is why they are champions.
Unlike Ghana who have clinched the continental Holy Grail four times, Senegal are yet to lay hands on one. However, they play like champions whenever the players have the opportunity to don their national jersey.
Indeed, our players must put commitment at the forefront of their game. A committed player, as they say, has the inner voice of a champion – as they keep working, keep moving, keep playing and staying focused.
Where the Black Stars are today, they do not really want players who are not committed to the task.
As a matter of fact, Ghana needs whole-heartedly committed band of players now more than anything else. Even if they are not as good as world-class stars, the fans will love to see the players give their all for second balls.
However, the fans will be left to feel a serious disconnection with the players – if nothing will suggest that they do not want to be there. This may be enough reason to see the cynosure of all eyes feed on the Stars as they breathe some inspiration into their World Cup campaign today at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium against bottom-placed Zimbabwe’s Warriors.
South Africa leads the group on four points – one better than Ghana and Ethiopia, after two rounds of games. For Ghanaians, their prayer is that the table must turn in their favour after the double-header on October 12.
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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