Infuse Same Dedication You Give Your Clubs in Our National Team; Mahama to Black Stars
President John Dramani Mahama has challenged Black Stars players to invest some of the dedication they infuse in playing for their respective clubs in the senior national team.
At a visit to the players during Wednesday’s training at the Accra Sports Stadium ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Chad, the President referenced their performance at club level as he compared it to their input in the national team.
“It takes sacrifice, it takes strength. We all like to watch you when you play for your teams and we expect that you bring some of that dedication to the national team.”
Acknowledging the lucrativeness of playing at the club level as compared to the national team, he challenged them to prioritise patriotism and sacrifice for Ghana when donned in the white jersey.
“Playing for the national team is not as lucrative as playing for your individual teams but still that sense of pride and patriotism that your nation has gone to the World Cup is something that is worth dying for.”
President Mahama noted that the qualifiers were an opportunity to redeem themselves after disappointing Ghanaians in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament as he expressed confidence in them.
“Before you start the qualifiers, let’s put the AFCON debacle behind us and let’s look forward. I know that in the World Cup qualifiers, you are going to redeem yourselves. If we play and qualify, Ghanaians will find it in their hearts to come fully behind the team again and I know you can do it.”
The Black Stars will lock horns with Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2025, and then travel to Morocco to face Madagascar in another Group I match on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Ghana is currently second in Group I with nine points from four matches after securing three wins and one defeat, levelling them with Comoros.
The 23-member squad led by captain Jordan Ayew includes three home-based players: Benjamin Asare of Accra Hearts of Oak, Kamaradini Mamudu of Medeama SC and Razak Simpson of Nations FC as well as Thomas Partey, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Jerry Afriyie, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joojo Wollacot, Benjamin Asare and Gideon Mensah.
Also included are Ebenezer Annan, Mohammed Salisu, Jerome Opoku, Alexander Djiku, Jonas Adjetey, Razak Simpson, Kingsley Schindler, Elisha Owusu, Abu Francis, Mohammed Kudus, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams and Christopher Bonsu Baah.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
