Tag: World Cup

  • Ablakwa pledges visa support for fans as Black Stars book 2026 World Cup ticket

    Ablakwa pledges visa support for fans as Black Stars book 2026 World Cup ticket

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has extended warm congratulations to the Black Stars following their emphatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    He has also promised to ensure that Ghanaian supporters gain fair and easy access to travel visas for the tournament.

    In a celebratory statement, Mr Ablakwa said the Foreign Ministry, under his leadership, would take advantage of Ghana’s strong diplomatic ties with the United States, Canada, and Mexico the joint hosts of the 2026 World Cup to secure favourable visa quotas for fans eager to support the team abroad.

    The Black Stars’ qualification sparked massive celebrations across the country, as jubilant supporters took to the streets and social media to hail the team’s effort. Many have praised head coach Otto Addo and his players for restoring confidence in the national side after a hard-fought qualifying campaign that reaffirmed Ghana’s standing as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.

    Mr Ablakwa’s assurance has further lifted the spirits of supporters, many of whom have in the past struggled to obtain visas for major international tournaments.

    “Ghanaians can be fully assured that the Foreign Ministry under my leadership shall leverage our improved cordial diplomatic relations with the United States, Canada, and Mexico to guarantee appreciable visa quotas for our globally acclaimed football fans,” Mr Ablakwa said.

    He expressed hope that the Black Stars’ return to football’s biggest stage would reignite a sense of pride and unity among Ghanaians. “Congratulations to the Black Stars on Ghana’s emphatic 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. GHANA, here we come!” he added.

    Following the team’s qualification, FIFA President Gianni Infantino also shared a video message congratulating Ghana. Referring to the nation’s historic quarter-final feat in the 2010 World Cup, he expressed confidence that the Black Stars would once again make the nation proud on the global stage.

    Ghana booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup after a hard-fought 1–0 win over Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. A second-half strike from Mohammed Kudus sealed the victory and confirmed Ghana’s place at the top of their qualifying group.

    This marks Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance, following previous outings in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will feature an expanded roster of 48 teams for the first time in history.

     

     

  • ‘These boys can do it’ – Mould asserted

    ‘These boys can do it’ – Mould asserted

    Mr Alex Mould, a football enthusiast has given his verdict of the Black Star team that played Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers game last Friday which ended in all zeros draw.

    He believes the current youngsters are good to be maintained for the national team.

    Below is his comment:

    Old hands are overated. They will come and bring in Senior v Junior unless they will accept to be on the bench till 70th minute etc as they can not play 90 minutes up and down defending.  

    Muntari can not play instead of Kudus ; I guess maybe as a sub to Kudus if he has a bad game or injured or tired ;

    Jordan actually did well bar his disappointing corners and free kicks which need improvement; but he is the designated free kick and corner taker; I am sure we have a better alternative.

    He comes with experience but he is not a goal poacher and that’s the problem – we believe that’s his Key P performance I indicators.

    Otto Addo, his coaches and  technical team know better after this match

    It was a good selection , good Organisation, very compact, and the strategy worked.

    Nigeria is also a well coached team. They have bigger boys than we do and their defence is well organized

    Our defence was excellent with Djiku and Amartey (whobis in his best form) andvtge full backs doing their part. We need to identify their weak spots.

    My only observation is we play too central – we don’t use the flanks as much – more of our play origination should be from the flanks.

    I would like to see the two wingers teaming off more with Kudus.

    Maybe that’s where Muntari can come in if Kudus has a bad day or gets tired.

    Kyere is an excellent planter and I think he wil start as he gives us more defence, which will be needed in Abuja, and creativity.

    To ensure fair based on expectations we came out better than the Nigerians who I am sure thought they could win – and the almost did bar for Wllicotts antics.

    Abuja will be another game with a different strategy, I am sure. But this team is not a 6-0 team.

    It’s a compact team that will rely on team work to achieve the results.

    What I don’t know is their character –  I don’t know how good they are if they get unsettled by a goal agains them – Nigeria, the same!!

    Let’s leave the Coach and the boys to it.

    They want this win more than any of us I am sure – going to the WC comes once in a life time – maybe 2x.

    So let’s sit back and enjoy the BS that we have Ent seen play sooo good since about 2014.

    My two cents