President John Dramani Mahama has challenged Black Stars players to demonstrate greater patriotism and commitment whenever they represent Ghana, stressing that wearing the national jersey comes with the responsibility of honouring the country’s symbols.

His comments come after Ghana’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 defeat to Colombia national football team.

Speaking in a light-hearted yet pointed manner, President Mahama expressed concern that some Black Stars players did not appear to sing the national anthem before matches, unlike players from many other countries who proudly joined in.

“During the World Cup, our players couldn’t sing the national anthem, while players from other countries sang with pride. If you cannot sing the anthem, you cannot be in the team,” Mahama said.

The President’s remarks have reignited discussions about the importance of patriotism and national pride within the senior national team.

Despite the disappointment of their World Cup exit, the Black Stars received praise for their spirited displays during the tournament, producing determined performances against some of the competition’s strongest sides.

However, Ghana’s campaign ended after the narrow defeat to Colombia, denying the four-time African champions a place in the Round of 16.

The Black Stars will now turn their attention to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in September 2026, as they seek to secure a return to the continental tournament.

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