Former Vice President and 2028 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has rallied support for the senior national football team, the Black Stars, ahead of their crucial opening fixture against Panama in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament in Canada.
In an inspiring message directed at the players and technical team, Dr. Bawumia expressed confidence in the ability of the Black Stars to once again make the country proud on the global football stage despite the challenges confronting the squad.
The former Vice President urged the team to approach the tournament with courage, determination, and patriotism, reminding the players of Ghana’s rich football history and past successes at major international competitions.
“Black Stars, you have done it before, and you can do it again. The nation is behind you, and I am behind you. Go for gold, go, Black Stars, go!” Dr. Bawumia stated in a motivational message contained in a viral video that has since gained traction on social media.
His message comes at a time when expectations among Ghanaians remain high, with football fans across the country hopeful that the Black Stars can begin the tournament on a strong note and progress deep into the competition.
Ghana is scheduled to face Panama today in their opening Group L match at the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), which corresponds to 11:00 p.m. GMT.
The encounter is considered a crucial opener for the Black Stars in a difficult group that also includes football heavyweights England and Croatia, making a positive start essential to Ghana’s qualification hopes.
However, the Black Stars will head into the match without one of their key midfielders, Thomas Partey, whose entry visa to Canada was reportedly denied due to ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
Partey’s absence has generated widespread discussion among supporters and football analysts, given the important role the experienced midfielder plays in the Black Stars setup.
Nonetheless, many Ghanaians remain optimistic that the team possesses enough quality and fighting spirit to overcome Panama and secure all three points.
Across social media platforms, fans and football enthusiasts have continued to send messages of encouragement to the players, with many praising Dr. Bawumia for publicly throwing his support behind the national team ahead of the high-stakes encounter.
The Black Stars are expected to approach the game with determination as they seek to make a strong statement in the tournament and add another memorable chapter to Ghana’s football history on the world stage.
By 1960news.com
