Sports
World Cup advice worth its weight
● A thrilling action scene at the 2014 World Cup: Left, Agyemang Badu and Harrison Afful trying to
prevent Ronaldo (centre) from making a move
For many years to come, the gory incidents of Black Stars’ shameful campaign at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, will be indelibly etched on the minds of football’s disciples – especially Ghanaians.
As you may have been aware already, the shamefulness of it was not about the Stars’ ego-shattering first round exit. It had to do – firstly, with incidents that culminated in the ‘bloody’ fight at the team’s hotel between management member Moses Parker and midfield dynamo Sulley Muntari.
Secondly, players deciding to embark on a sit-down strike ahead of the all-crucial third-place game against Portugal were to say the least, ghastly.
The incident hauled a lot of shame to Ghana – earning her rave reviews in the global media.
Indeed, the Brazil media made a lot of fun about the situation, especially when $4million cash was flown from Ghana to the expectant team before the Portugal nerve-jangling third group game.
As one would expect, the players lost focus – and spent the entire night ‘reading’ their money – an appearance fee of $100,000 each. The attention was not about working their fingers to the bone to upstage Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portuguese side and qualify for the second round. Money before country was the players’ clarion call! Embarrassing, it was!
It was against this saturnine backdrop that President of former Division One side (Danbort FC), Mr Daniel Bortequaye, has ‘badgered’ on the GFA to put in place the fitting measures to ensure that the spectre of Brazil 2014 is totally exorcised.
“What happened to Ghana’s image in the Brazil 2014 World Cup must not be repeated and I can only hope important lessons have been picked up by the FA,” he said, insisting that the Black Stars could have gone beyond what was achieved at the South Africa 2010 World Cup (quarter-final), if we had done things right.
With less than three months to the Qatar World Cup (November 19), we need no one to remind the current players to be guided by this horrible story and ensure they exhibit the best behaviour possible.
There is no scintilla about the fact that the global media will have its eye on the Black Stars in November; not only for its spectacular football, but would be looking out for some of the controversies that swallowed up the 2010 quarter-finalist, into opprobrium.
PlainTalk With John Vigah
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
