The Black Stars received a timely lift when Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, paid a morale-boosting visit to their camp ahead of Monday’s must-win World Cup qualifier against Mali.
Adams arrived at the Accra Sports Stadium training base with a clear message: confidence, belief, and unity. His words came just days after the Stars were held to a frustrating draw by Chad in N’Djamena, a result that left fans restless and critics vocal.
But rather than dwell on disappointment, the Minister sought to inspire. “I am not here to criticise, but to encourage and listen. I know what you’re capable of. There’s no better team than you. You have the talent, the passion, and the opportunity to turn this around,” Adams told the players, urging them to channel the energy of the nation into victory.
Head coach Otto Addo welcomed the intervention, stressing that the team had already reflected deeply on their performance. He pointed to the advantage of playing on natural grass against Mali as a factor that could tilt the contest in Ghana’s favour. Addo was clear, the squad is focused, determined, and ready to respond.
Ghana remain top of Group I, but the stakes could not be higher. A victory over Mali would strengthen their grip on qualification and restore faith among supporters still smarting from recent inconsistencies.
The atmosphere in Accra is building, with fans expected to pack the stadium under the floodlights on Monday. For the Black Stars, this is not just a match but rather a chance to reclaim momentum, silence doubts, and prove once again why they remain Africa’s perennial powerhouse.
