Sports Minister Kofi Adams Visits Black Stars Ahead of Mali Cracker on Monday
- Hon. Kofi Adams has visited the Black Stars camp as Ghana gear up for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mali
- The Eagles will be hosted by the Black Stars on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium in their Matchday 8 fixture
- The minister’s visit was intended to boost morale and reaffirm government’s backing for the team ahead of the decisive clash
Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, has paid a visit to the Black Stars camp in Accra as part of efforts to rally support and motivate the team ahead of Monday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mali.
The decisive fixture will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium, where Ghana will be looking to secure maximum points in their CAF Group I campaign.
Source: Twitter
With just two rounds of matches remaining, the Black Stars sit at the top of the table but cannot afford any slip-ups against a Mali side that still has a realistic chance of finishing in the top two and advancing in the qualification race.
Ghana entered the September window on a strong note, but their progress was slightly dented by a late setback in the 1-1 draw against Chad, a result that underlined both their quality and areas of concern.
For Mali, the picture is equally compelling. After a stop-start campaign marked by too many draws, the Eagles revived their qualification hopes with a convincing 3-0 victory over Comoros in their last outing.
With so much at stake, Monday’s clash is shaping up to be a cagey and fiercely contested affair.
Recognising the magnitude of the occasion, Hon. Kofi Adams visited the Black Stars at their hotel base in Accra.
His presence was aimed at lifting the players’ spirits while reaffirming government’s commitment to the national team as they prepare for what could prove to be a decisive moment in their World Cup journey.
Watch photos of Kofi Adams' visit below:
Broadcast journalist Joseph Hanson believes Kofi Adams demonstrated real class by visiting the Black Stars, despite his standoff with the GFA over the team’s budget.
According to Hanson, the decision to make the GFA’s budget public created “a lot of negative buzz around the team,” but Adams still put differences aside.
“Kofi showed maturity by showing up for the players,” Hanson told YEN.com.gh.
“At a time when many expected him to stay away, he chose to support the Black Stars. That speaks volumes.”
The visit comes just days after Ghana were held to a 1-1 draw by Chad in N’Djamena.
Captain Jordan Ayew’s early strike had given Otto Addo’s men the lead, but a last-minute equaliser denied the Black Stars maximum points.
Despite that setback, the four-time African champions remain top of Group I with 16 points from seven games, three points ahead of Madagascar and four clear of Mali.
Source: Twitter
Ghana to host Mali on Monday
The Black Stars will host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, at 19:00 GMT. A victory would edge Ghana closer to qualification with two matches left to play.
More recently, in June 2024, Ghana showed resilience in Bamako by overturning a one-goal deficit to defeat the Eagles 2-1, with Djiku playing the full match.
With three fixtures left, including two at home, the dream of a fifth World Cup appearance is still alive.
Monday’s showdown could prove pivotal, not only for qualification but also for rebuilding belief among Ghanaians who long to see the Stars shine again.
Source: YEN.com.gh
