Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Smith, led a high-powered government delegation to the Black Stars camp on Thursday to congratulate the team on their World Cup campaign and relay a message from President John Dramani Mahama ahead of Saturday’s decisive Group L game against Croatia.

He was accompanied by Sports and Recreation Minister Hon. Kofi Adams, Foreign Minister Hon. Samuel Okudjato Ablakwa, and businessman-philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama.

Addressing the players and technical staff, Hon. Kofi Adams reminded the squad of the nation’s backing.

“As I always tell you, when you throw your leg, know that the entire 35 million are supporting you, holding the leg. That’s the belief you go onto the field with,” Adams said. “As we watched you play on the 23rd, I was seated with the Ambassador and our big brother Ibrahim.”

Foreign Minister Okudjato praised the team for restoring belief after the 0-0 draw with England.

“You demonstrated that no team, no matter how highly rated, can intimidate you or can cow you into submission. And we are all so proud,” he told the players. “You have brought back the love, the patriotism, and the respect that we have always had for the Black Stars. And we have no doubt that you are going to make us proud. And you are going to go very, very far in this tournament.”

Okudjato delivered a message from President John Dramani Mahama.

“I want to bring you very warm greetings from His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, who, as you know, is your ardent fan,” he said. “He sent the Vice President earlier when you were in Canada, and he has asked us to convey his respects, and he wishes that you know that he is rooting strongly for you.”

“He is your number one fan, and he has a very special package for you when you return to Ghana after this tournament. You can trust President Mahama to deliver on his promise. So far, he has given you all that you need and all that is required, and we are very, very proud of what you have achieved on the field.”

Turning to Saturday’s game at Lincoln Financial Field, Okudjato said: “We know that as you prepare for Croatia, you are going to make us even prouder, and you are going to defeat Croatia. So, I know the Croatians are trembling, and we are going to really defeat them and go to the next round of 32.”

“This is a team that many were not too sure about your capacity, but now the world is watching, and everybody is saying that, look, you cannot rule out the Black Stars, and you better give the Black Stars their due and give them the respect that they deserve.”

“So, we are going to ride on that momentum, and we are going to go very, very far. I believe that we can even get to the finals. I have no doubt.”

“Thank you very much for making us proud, for being great ambassadors of Ghana. Ambassadors are not only Victor Smith and the diplomats we have in our diplomatic missions across the world, but all those who are representing Ghana and making us proud. You are also our ambassadors, and the kind of fame, renown that you have brought us, money cannot buy.”

“And we are really, really proud of you for lifting high the flag of Ghana and showing the whole world what Ghana is made up of, that Ghana cannot be written off, and that we are here to compete, and we mean business, and no country will intimidate us.”

“That is the spirit, and I know that all 35 million Ghanaians and more are very, very proud. All Africans are proud, and you have been monitoring social media, all Africans, and indeed all those who love the game.”

Also present were GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Vice President Mark Addo, Executive Council member and Management Committee Chairman Dr. Randy Abbey, former captain Stephen Appiah — Vice Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee — as well as Moses Armah and Samuel Aboabire, Management Committee members.

The Black Stars are scheduled to depart Rhode Island for Philadelphia on Thursday, June 26, ahead of the final Group L clash against Croatia on Saturday, June 28, 2026, at 5 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. Ghana and England sit joint top of Group L on four points.

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