Sports Minister Hon. Kofi Adams has rallied the Black Stars to deliver a statement performance against Mali, assuring them of the full backing of President John Dramani Mahama following their disappointing draw with Chad.
Ghana, four-time African champions, were left ruing missed opportunities last Thursday in N’Djamena when they surrendered a one-goal lead to draw 1-1 with bottom-placed Chad in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. The underwhelming result drew widespread criticism from supporters and pundits, with some questioning the commitment of certain players, while others took aim at the Ministry of Sports for the timing of its budget announcement.
Otto Addo demands ruthlessness as Black Stars gear up for Mali clash
Determined to lift the squad’s morale, Adams met the team at the Alisa Hotel on Saturday morning, striking a confident tone and urging the players to reset mentally ahead of their crucial home tie.
“We don’t have any player better than you. Of course, we’re all disappointed by the outcome of the match against Chad,” he said as quoted by Kickgh.com.
“We’re not happy that things went the way they did, but we can always bounce back with a positive response against Mali. I’m here to convey compliments and best wishes from His Excellency John Mahama, President of the Republic, to you.”
The Minister explained that Mahama had hoped to deliver the message in person but was tied up with other state obligations.
“He would have wished to be here to speak to you, but other engagements have taken him elsewhere. He sent me to come and urge you to go for the win on Monday. I spoke with the Chairman, Dr. Randy Abbey, and we agreed that we’d have a meeting with you today to wish you all the best and assure you of the support of the President and the people of Ghana,” Minister Kofi Adams said.
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) September 6, 2025
Ghana currently leads Group I with 16 points from seven matches (five wins, one draw, one loss), and Monday’s clash at the Ohene Gyan Stadium could prove pivotal in sealing their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
