Road To Qatar: Black Stars of Ghana Is The Passion of The Nation. —Prof. Romeo

✏️| Amponsah Aduakye Romeo.(nanajunior89@gmail.com)

2022 World Cup, November 18, SIXSCRIBES— Football is a sport that unites people even enemies. The story is not different in Ghana. In their pain, distress and sorrow, the passion of the nation-football brings them together.

2014 will be remembered as the darkest year in Ghana’s football history. The shambolic show at Brazil 2014 , coupled with the air-lifting of appearance fees by the state to Brazil was the beginning of the Black Stars woes.

The love eluded the Stars, they lost touch with the Ghanaian people. As if that was not enough, the poor show at AFCON 2019 and 2021 made it difficult for the ordinary Ghanaian to support the stars. Kurt Okraku’s #bringbackthelove was ridiculed. The team were booed at times, players and technical teams members were verbally abused.

All hope was lost until Kumasi brought it back. The 40,000 Capacity stadium was filled as sign of love for the black stars. The people of Kumasi, the self acclaimed spiritual home of the stars propelled the players for give their all for they have always been accused of playing without commitment.

29th March, 2022 will go down in history as the day, THE BLACK STARS OF GHANA brought back the love to the people of Ghana.

Qatar 2022 will see the shining star of Africa. Congratulations, BLACK STARS OF GHANA. Coach Otto Addo has not had it easy with the Ghanaian populace especially the media, he has been questioned on his tactics, team play and call-ups. The recent hullabaloo was his final 26-man squad for the mundial

A lot of people questioned him on the exclusions of Jeffery Schlupp,Joseph Painstil but to mention a few. The media were not happy with the answer given for their inclusion during the official announcement of the squad.

Most Ghanaians had no or little hope for the team until they outplayed and defeated European giants,Switzerland on Thursday,17th November 2022 in a warm up friendly game. The team started without notable starters like Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus, the major headline was Daniel Afriyie Barnieh , the only outfield local player who was given his first start for the Senior National Soccer team.

The team played well, controlled the game , created chances and eventually won 2-0 with goals from Mohammed Salisu and Antoine Semenyo.

The aftermath of the game has lifted up the spirit of the nation, doubters have revisited their books to see if they could give the Stars a chance.

I look forward to a beautiful World Cup starting Sunday 20th November 2022. Remember to say a prayer for the Black Stars of Ghana when they play Portugal on Thursday 24th November 2022.