Author: Sammy Heywood Okine
After exiting at the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Black Stars of Ghana are back to base but were tested and sadly beaten 2 – 0 by The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in an African Cup 2027 qualifier in Bouake.
The Black Stars will have to make amends when they face The Scorpions of Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium in another chance to get some points in the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ghana is drawn in Group C which has Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia and Somalia, but currently the Black Stars are lying last on the table.
Ghana did not qualify for the last AFCON 2025 played in Morocco, which the GFA President, Kurt Okraku always say is his lowest point, and to miss again must be a disaster.
Ghana has always been a football nation and has produced some of the best footballers in the world. It is not by mistake that Ghana has been to the World Cup in 2026, 2022, 2014 and 2020. The nation is still producing top stars.
Ghana has won the AFCON four times, the last time in 1982, but the Black Stars were smashing in 1978, 1965 and 1963 editions of the AFCON.
Ghana had some fine players at the recent 2026 FIFAWorld Cup but most of them have withdrawn from the 2027 AFCON and it calls for concern, but can also be blessings for new young footballers to get the opportunity of playing.
It has been reported and published that Ghana missed seven top stars against Cote d’Ivoire namely Skipper Jordan Ayew, striker Antoinne Semenyo, midfielder Thomas Partey, starboy Kudus Mohammed and experienced Baba Rahman due to injuries,
Coach Carlos Quieroz had to be wise to invite some tried and tested stars like Jonas Adjetey, Alidu Seidu, Ebenezer Annan, Rockson Yeboah, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, Benjamin Tetteh, Felix Afena-Gyan and Augustine Quansah.
Rahim Ibrahim has also gained his call up for the first time and he looks to be a player to change the game of the Black Stars.
The Black Stars have failed Ghanaians many times, but this time it must be a positive approach and the mental focus of the team must be unity and winning.
Ace defender, Alexander Dziku who captained the team against The Elephants and got injured believes his colleagues must begin to have a positive approach and winning mentality.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, the popular fans’ choice to keep the Black Stars posts, has also urged fans to keep on supporting the team because the qualifying matches are unpredictable and anything can happen for Ghana to lead the Group.
For me, the Black Stars must parade an agile keeper who commands admiration, threatening defenders, aggressive and creative midfielders and fast running deadly sharp skilful accurate shooting forwards. Every best player of Ghanaian heritage anywhere deserves a chance to play for Ghana.
The action continues at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday. Let’s cheer for the Black Stars to shine. Let’s Play Agoro – Our Brand of Football.
