Sports
Asamoah Gyan Rallies Black Stars to “Play Their Hearts Out” in Final Push for 2026 World Cup Qualification
Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has called on the Black Stars to give their all as they edge closer to securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with just two crucial matches remaining.
Ghana currently sits atop their qualifying group and is on the verge of booking a fifth World Cup appearance. The team will take on the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday at the Stade d’Honneur de Meknes, with kick-off slated for 16:00 GMT.
A win could potentially seal Ghana’s qualification, depending on the outcomes of other group fixtures.
Gyan, who has joined the squad in camp, expressed strong confidence in the players’ determination and readiness to deliver under pressure.
> “We are very close. The players have their destiny in their hands. They’ve done all the hard work and just need to add the finishing touch. They should go out, play their hearts out, and get the win,” he told 3 Sports.
The legendary striker, who remains Ghana’s all-time top scorer, also spoke about the mental toughness required for high-stakes encounters.
> “Some games come with good pressure and keep you on your toes. This is one of those games. I feel there’s a bit of pressure, but that’s normal. Some of the players experienced it in 2022, and I’m sure they can handle it,” he added.
The Black Stars are expected to leave Casablanca for Meknes today to wrap up preparations for the clash against CAR. They will then return home to face Comoros on October 12 at the Accra Sports Stadium in their final qualifier.
With confidence high and nationwide support growing, Ghanaians are hopeful the Black Stars will finish strong and secure their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Head coach of Ghana’s national U-15 team Fatawu Salifu has praised Kurt Okraku for initiatives aimed at strengthening coaching development in the country.
Salifu believes the leadership of the Ghana Football Association has placed strong focus on improving the education and training of coaches at different levels of the game.
He explained that several programmes have been introduced to give coaches more opportunities to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
According to him, these initiatives are helping trainers better guide young footballers across the country.
Salifu noted that in the past many coaches struggled due to a lack of mentorship and limited access to proper training.
However, he believes recent efforts by the football governing body are gradually changing that situation.
The coach pointed to workshops and continuous learning programmes as key steps toward building a more professional coaching environment.
Following the events in the Middle East, President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has met with the Black Queens to appeal for calm. He assured the team that the GFA has, over the last 24 to 48 hours, engaged with all stakeholders, including Ghana’s mission in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our Security Advisors, in its quest to find the right solution to the problem.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (Hon.), and Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams (Hon.), have both called to offer the nation’s support to the team during this period.
The GFA respectfully asks everyone to be calm as we monitor the situation. We will keep our stakeholders updated should there be further developments.
The Black Queens have been in the United Arab Emirates for the past week to prepare for the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
According to reports kpdonline.com is gathering, the team is likely to redraw from the ongoing Pink Ladies Cup following, Tension in the Middle East.
Credit: Ghana FA Communication
Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has confirmed that Ghana is considering of adding another high profile Friendly game as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We are not going there to just go and participate, our intention is to stay there till the last day, reason why we have augmented the technical team, we are in talks to have another high profile Friendly in the coming weeks, talks are ongoing and it will be confirmed soon” Adams told Citi Sports,
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has added five new faces to the technical team, including French coach Alain Ravera as assistant coach, and performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi.
These appointments aim to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, and will look to break their best World Cup record, reaching the quarter-finals in South Africa 2010.
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