President John Dramani Mahama has backed the Black Stars of Ghana to achieve greater success in future international competitions, saying the team has the potential to compete for major honours if the current squad is maintained and given the right support.
The president’s comments come after Ghana’s encouraging performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars reached the knockout stage for the first time since their memorable run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Speaking during an inspection visit to the Ho Sports Stadium last week, President Mahama praised the national team’s performance and highlighted how the players exceeded expectations during the global tournament.
Ghana entered the World Cup facing doubts over their chances, with many observers predicting that the team would struggle to progress beyond the group stage. However, the Black Stars defied those expectations by securing qualification to the Round of 32.
“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.
The president believes the progress achieved at the World Cup can provide a foundation for future success, but stressed that continuity will be essential if Ghana are to build on their recent performances.
Mahama called for the current group of players to remain together and encouraged stability within the technical setup, arguing that maintaining the squad’s development could help the Black Stars compete for trophies in upcoming tournaments.
He said a sustained approach could put Ghana in a strong position ahead of future editions of 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 president’s remarks come as Ghana begins preparations for its next major international challenge, with the Black Stars set to start their qualification campaign for the 2027 AFCON in September.
Ghana has been placed in Group C for the qualifying stage, alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia.
The group will provide the Black Stars with another opportunity to continue their progress and secure a place at the continental tournament.
Following their World Cup showing, expectations around the national team have increased, with calls for the squad to maintain the momentum gained from their performance on the global stage.
President Mahama believes preserving the current foundation will be key to transforming Ghana’s recent improvement into long-term success.
The Black Stars’ journey at the 2026 World Cup has renewed optimism among supporters, and the president’s comments underline the importance of patience, stability and continued investment as Ghana aims to return to the top level of African and world football.
