“Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.” — Lord Chesterfield
Our trust in the Black Stars had been rekindled (after it had diminished in South Africa in 2010 when Asamoah Gyan squandered a golden opportunity—a penalty—with Luis Suarez’s Uruguay). The hype caught us, as we cruised past Panama (1–0), and we became ecstatic.
Then, the genius and fake pastors cashed in. Nigel Gaisie whipped the nation: “I fasted, praying for the return of Black Stars on Friday… Black Stars will qualify and go to the finals… I saw it.” Who says God is not mocked? Where did the pastor “see” it?
We will not call them “Kalabule pastors” as Country-man Songo does, but we will ask: which pastor spoke with God? What was the colour of God? In what language was the conversation (Greek, Latin, French, German, English, Arabic, Twi, Ewe, Yoruba, Eswatini…)? We’ve not forgotten Pastor Dr. Otabil’s assertion that 95% of African pastors are quacks or charlatans, and Rev. Owusu-Bempah’s latest assertion confirms it: “…it is getting too much; it is sad.
The prophetic ministry is losing its impact…” He had forgotten his own fake prophecy on the death of Sheik Sharubutu there was Canada’s refusal of Partey visa to play for Ghana against Panama, but, luckily, against the run of play Ghana won 1–0 in the group stages, thanks to goalkeeper Asare. Then came the crucial Ghana v England debacle. Na aye huu-huu-huu (it was a fearsome encounter). Ghana played against Harry Kane (captain), Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, John Stones, and Jordan Pickford with their head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Here, too, luck smiled on us and we came home 0–0 that is, against run of play. Then we entered the Group of 32 and our opponents were Colombia. The time was 01 hours GMT. The number of people who defied sleep; some people did not even winch nor blink an eye. There was hope, even if better teams like Germany had gone home, we were there.
We do not want to be reminded of the pastor who predicted that Ghana would lose all the matches. Prophet Boahen Uche founder of Reign House Chapel can deceive the world by saying we won one of the matches because his church played over the earlier prediction.
“Shiee, yabo ka agu…” (we’ve wasted our money). Most people, including Kwaku Bonsam, were throwing jabs at the Ghanaian squad. What was wrong with Jordan, and he could not take a single shot! A skipper! And why wouldn’t the coach change him? A skipper who would fall down at the least touch. Our team lacked stamina. Besides, the players did not demonstrate patriotism nor commitment, save Senaya and Caleb Yirenkyi, who scored Ghana’s only goal in the tournament against Panama.
What unholy alliance was struck between the Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz and Jordan Ayew? The 73-year-old himself had announced his withdrawal: “… I leave this country with pride in what we achieved, but also with the healthy dissatisfaction of those who always wanted more. Reaching a higher level should never be the destination; it shoul be the beginning of even greater ambitions. Football, like life, teaches us one timeless lesson: you either win or you learn.”
But why would Jordan, of all people, back Queiroz to finish the job? “He’s done a great job. To come and achieve what he’s done in this short time says a lot. I hope he stays.” Some people would say: Those who sang “Halleluia” are the same people who would sing “Crucify him.”
But what do we make of this comment by a researcher on Prince Owusu: “During a meeting with the Ghana Football Association, officials allegedly demanded 70% of the player’s earnings. This did not sit well with Prince Owusu’s management and family. They eventually agreed to a 50–50 split. However, they never did, as it apparently was no longer considered a favourable deal…”
The Ghana Black Stars have become a business entity that deserves no emotional support from us. We must guard our hearts and focus on pursuing meaningful results.
And John Mikel Obi queries: “A senior forward player in a World Cup knock-out match finishes with zero passes into the penalty area and zero shots… You don’t earn respect by surviving on your name. You earn it by demanding the ball, hurting the opposition and dragging your country forward. If you’re invisible for 90 minutes on the biggest stage in football, you’ve failed your nation. It’s as simple as that,’’
And Jordan has a history to fall on, especially when we read veteran Kwamina Ahwoi’s book: “Working with Rawlings” p.16. After Limann’s government had announced Ghana’s boycott of the Africa Games in Tripoli, Libya in 1982. “The Revolution saved the day for the Black Stars and a hastily assembled team, including 16-year-old Abedi Ayew Pele, after only three weeks’ camping, went to Libya and won the Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the fourth time….”
Yes, you can say the Ayews have a history of football—and, indeed, Ghana’s football history cannot be written without the Ayews’ role.
Mannasseh writes: “Three lessons the Ayew brothers have taught us”; “It is said that when people speak ill of you, live your life in such a way that nobody will believe them… the second… is to judge people on their own merit… the third is to focus on competence instead of where someone comes from… The Black Stars are making us happy. We never ask about their ethnicity and which political party they belong. What matters is that they work as a team…”
Abedi Ayew Pele started the ball rolling, followed by his brother, Kwame Ayew, then Pele’s son, Andre Dede Ayew, achieving enviable heights, winning several awards along the way. The Ayews have captained Ghana’s Black Stars wherever they have played—and Jordan Ayew was the captain of the Black Stars in the World Cup 2026.
Jordan stated: “We just want to go there and put on a show and represent Africa and Ghana the best that we can!” How do we interpret this?
It is on record that the Ayew family is “the most decorated dynasty in Ghanaian soccer history, with its members winning major domestic honours, national team awards, and prestigious international recognitions.”
Abedi Pele won Ghana Player of the Year in 1993; African Footballer of the Year for three consecutive years (1991, 1992, 1993); BBC African Footballer of the Year (1991); Afcon Golden Ball as best player (1992). Then, Abedi Pele’s son, Andre Ayew—Ghana Footballer of the Year (2011 SWAG; 2021 Ghana Football Awards), BBC African Footballer of the Year in 2011; Andre captained Ghana to win the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup and he won Africa U-20 Cup of Nations; he earned the Golden Boot at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The third person is Jordan Ayew, son of Abedi Pele, who won the 2020 Ghana Player of the Year; Crystal Palace Player of the Season in the 2018/2020 season, and the fourth, Kwame Ayew (Abedi Pele’s brother), who won an Olympic Bronze Medal with the Ghana U-23 team in Barcelona in 1992.
Good record, great achievements, but the World Cup 2026 defeat de3 ekaa kakra. The players’ faces did not show any remorse after the referee’s final whistle, and people are asking: what would have happened if Jordan had been replaced earlier; what would have happened if the earlier goal-keeper in the Panama match, Asare, had been brought in for the Colombia match.
As for this loss, we will continue to cry over spilt milk!
