"Ghanaians are behind you" - President Simeon-Okraku charges Black Stars players ahead of Mali, CAR qualifiers

President Simeon-Okraku has charged the Black Stars players to roll up their sleeves to deliver for Ghana ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June.

The President welcomed the players to the country after they held their first training session at the University of Ghana Stadium, Legon on Friday, May 31, 2024.

"I welcome all of you back home. Usually, at this time, you should be on holidays. But when it is a national duty, you have to respond and I am very happy that all of you have responded positively to the national call and to the national cause," President Simeon-Okraku welcomed the players and the technical team in his opening remarks.

"We began this World Cup journey some months ago. We've played two games and we all know the results. We won one and lost one. Fortunately, the journey didn't end with that defeat. We have another window to claw back some lost ground."

President Simeon-Okraku reiterated the importance of the crucial double-header for Ghanaians ahead of the trip to Bamako for the June 6 clash with Mali and the date with Central African Republic at home on June 10, 2024.

"The importance of these two assignments, I believe, is not lost on anyone of you. All of you know how important it is for us to get back on track. I trust you! The nation trusts all of you! The whole of Ghana is behind all of you and it is important we stay keenly focused on the two games that lie ahead of us."

"I believe we will go to Mali with all the confidence and quality that we have and put up a good performance that will give us the desired result. This is possible!"

"After that we come back to our beloved Kumasi and, God willing, finish off the CAR game. On behalf of the FA and Ghanaians, I wish all of us well. Let's train well and get ready for the trip to Bamako."

With the exception of Alexander Djiku and Osman Bukari, the remaining 24 players trained for the first time ahead of the crunch ties against Mali and the Central African Republic.

Coach Otto Addo and his backroom staff are expected to prepare the team ahead of the must-win games geared towards qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

GFA Communications