Former President John Dramani Mahama made an unexpected visit to the Black Stars during their training at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday.

His visit was meant to lift the team's spirits ahead of their important 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

Speaking to the players and coaches, Mahama admitted the team had faced challenges recently but said he believed they could recover and perform well.

“We didn’t qualify for the AFCON. But even when we did, we crashed out early last time. We haven’t given up on you. We still believe the Black Stars can find its glory again, and that depends on you, the technical team, and the management committee,” he said.

Reaffirming the nation’s support, he emphasized that success depends on the team’s commitment and effort.

“The goals will come from these feet right here. It takes sacrifice and strength. We enjoy watching you play for your clubs, and we expect the same dedication for the national team,” he added.

The Black Stars will face Chad on March 21 before taking on Madagascar three days later in Morocco as they continue their quest for World Cup qualification.

Ghana's journey in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has hit a rough patch recently. For the first time in over two decades, the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament, which will be held in Morocco later this year2. This marks a significant setback for a team that has historically been one of the continent's football powerhouses, with four AFCON titles to their name.

The failure to qualify has sparked disappointment among fans, players, and officials alike. Former Ghanaian football star Michael Essien described the situation as "sad" but urged the nation to move forward and focus on future competitions. Similarly, President John Dramani Mahama encouraged the team to redeem themselves in upcoming matches, including the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Despite this setback, there is hope for a turnaround. The team is now focusing on rebuilding and performing well in their World Cup qualifying campaign