Sports
Black Stars can challenge for next AFCON and World Cup titles if current squad is kept – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed confidence in the potential of the Black Stars, insisting that the team can achieve greater success if the current squad is maintained and provided with the necessary support.
The President’s comments follow Ghana’s impressive showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars reached the knockout stage for the first time since their historic quarter-final appearance at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Speaking during an inspection of the Ho Sports Stadium last week, President Mahama praised the team’s performance, noting that they defied expectations after many predicted an early exit from the competition.
“The Black Stars did well; nobody gave them a chance. People predicted that they would crash out at the group stage, but they managed to get into the Round of 32,” he said.
President Mahama emphasised the importance of continuity, calling for the retention of the current group of players and stability within the technical team as Ghana prepares for future competitions.
He believes maintaining the foundation built during the World Cup could help the Black Stars compete for major honours, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the FIFA World Cup.
“I am sure that if we keep this team and we persuade the coach to continue to work with the team, by the time of the next AFCON and World Cup, we will have a team that can claim the championship in any of those two competitions,” he added.
The Black Stars are now set to begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign in September, having been drawn in Group C alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia.
Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet
