By Anthony Obeng Afranie.
For Ghanaian football fans, the recent resurgence of the Black Stars feels like a breath of fresh air after years of suffocating disappointment.
Under the eight-year rule of the preceding Akufo-Addo administration, the national team endured a period widely considered abysmal, culminating in a shocking failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This marked a devastating low performance, a first in two decades, as the Black Stars limped to the bottom of Group F with a meager three points, courtesy of three draws and three crushing defeats.
The weight of this failure was palpable. The once-proud nation, accustomed to gracing the continent’s biggest stage, found itself on the sidelines, forced to watch their rivals compete. The disappointment resonated throughout the country, impacting morale and casting a shadow over the nation’s passion for the beautiful game.
However, the script has seemingly flipped dramatically in a remarkably short span of time. Just two months into the new administration of President John Dramani Mahama, the Black Stars are displaying a revitalised spirit and, more importantly, producing results. Recent performances have sent waves of optimism through the Ghanaian football community.
The evidence is compelling. The Black Stars recently delivered a resounding 5-0 victory over Chad and followed it up with a convincing 3-0 triumph against Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. These dominant displays have injected a much-needed dose of confidence into the team and its supporters, raising hopes of a successful qualification campaign.
But is this dramatic turnaround solely down to improved coaching tactics, player selection, or sheer luck? For some, the answer extends beyond the confines of the football pitch.
According to Nana Osei, a passionate football fan from Kumasi, the team’s newfound success is inextricably linked to President John Dramani Mahama’s “reset agenda.” Osei believes that Mahama’s leadership and vision are having a positive ripple effect throughout the country, extending its influence to the realm of sports.
“For years, we witnessed decline across various sectors. There was a sense of stagnation, a lack of direction,” Osei explained. “Mahama’s ‘reset agenda’ is about more than just policy changes. It’s about instilling a new sense of purpose, a belief in our potential. This positive energy, I believe, is what is fueling the Black Stars right now.”
While it may be tempting to dismiss such claims as purely sentimental, they speak to the deep connection between national identity and the performance of the national football team. In Ghana, football is more than just a sport; it’s a source of national pride and a powerful unifying force. When the Black Stars succeed, the entire nation feels a collective sense of achievement.
The “reset agenda,” whether directly influencing the team or not, provides a narrative of hope and progress that can resonate with players and fans alike. The renewed sense of optimism surrounding the country’s future may indeed be contributing to a more positive and confident atmosphere within the team, allowing them to perform at their best.
The passionate connection drawn by fans like Nana Osei highlights the powerful symbolic role of the Black Stars. Their triumphs represent more than just victories on the field; they embody the hopes and aspirations of a nation yearning for progress and success.
Whether directly or indirectly, the prevailing national mood, shaped by the current administration’s vision, can indeed play a significant role in shaping the team’s fortunes. It is hoped that this positive momentum would be sustained, leading the Black Stars back to the pinnacle of African football.
