Ghana’s impressive victories in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers have sparked debates over the factors behind the Black Stars’ turnaround in form.

However, Atiwa East MP, Abena Osei-Asare, has dismissed claims that President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to the team’s camp was the key reason for their success.

“It is not just about what we see. There are many things that happen behind the scenes. So, I expect that we don’t simply attribute the team’s success to the president’s visit,” Osei-Asare stated.

Before their crucial clashes against Chad and Madagascar on March 21 and 24, 2025, the Black Stars had endured a frustrating winless streak, with their last victory dating back to June 2024.

With their World Cup qualification hopes hanging in the balance, the team needed to step up their performance.

Ahead of the matches, several prominent figures, including Sports Minister Kofi Adams and members of Parliament’s Sports Committee, visited the team to offer encouragement.

However, it was President Mahama’s visit that grabbed the most attention. He addressed the squad, urging them to fight for victory.

Following the morale-boosting interactions, the Black Stars delivered dominant performances, thrashing Chad 5-0 and Madagascar 3-0. As celebrations erupted, some MPs credited Mahama’s visit as a decisive factor in the team’s success.

However, Osei-Asare insists the players’ hard work and personal motivation were the real driving forces.

“They all have fathers, and I believe that before they left home, their fathers also gave them advice. It was not the president’s words alone that led to their victories,” she emphasized.

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