Following the disappointing campaign of the Black Stars in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar, which saw the national team exiting at the group stage, Minister for Youth and Sports wants the team’s participation thoroughly reviewed.
Mustapha Ussif also assured that government will not relent in efforts towards sustainable sports development, to ensure that all respective national teams reach the desirable height.
“For the Black Stars in particular, the Ministry of Youth and Sports will continue its partnership with all stakeholders, including the GFA, for a thorough review of the Black Stars’ World Cup campaign in Qatar, and the way forward,” the minister said in a statement.
According to Mustapha Ussif, government was hopeful that the Black Stars would have made it beyond the knock out stage of the tournament.
The national team finished the group stage games at the bottom with three points. They were in Group H with Portugal who topped the group to qualify to the next round alongside South Korea, as Uruguay painfully exited with Ghana.
The minister said the necessary support was offered the team to enable them excel at the tournament.
“Having put in all efforts, including financial, logistical and technical support towards our preparations, we were all confident our young team would be able to realise our national aspiration of going very far in the competition,” the minister said in a statement.
However, Mustapha Ussif acknowledged that though the Black Stars “fell short at the most crucial stage and bowed out of the competition in disappointment”, lessons were learnt.
“We are also impressed by the united and patriotic manner Ghanaians came together to offer the Black Stars their unflinching support. Football, the World Cup and the Black Stars, brought the nation together beautifully as one people,” the minister observed.
“Our target, going into the World Cup, was to progress from our group to the next round, and then continue our charge in the knockout stage, to better our impressive record in the World Cup.”
Nonetheless, Mustapha Ussif acknowledged that the Black Stars won the hearts of many Ghanaians, as well as fans across the globe, with their spirited fightback against Portugal, and hard-fought victory over South Korea.
He said the government was impressed by the united and patriotic manner Ghanaians came together to offer the Black Stars their unflinching support.
“Football, the World Cup and the Black Stars, brought the nation together beautifully as one people,” he stated.