Rev. Osei Kofi reveals the story behind Ghana's 'Black Stars' nickname

Rev. Osei Kofi, winner of the AFCON in 1963 and 1965, has revealed the origins of the nickname for Ghana's national team, the Black Stars.

According to Rev. Osei Kofi, Ghana’s national team was known as the Gold Coast Eleven before Independence.

However, two years after gaining Independence through Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, there was a call for a new nickname for the national team.

In an interview monitored by GhanaWeb, the two-time AFCON winner noted that Ghanaians adopted a new perspective on life and believed that Black people were capable of managing their own affairs better.

Rev. Osei Kofi explained that the name ‘Black Stars of Africa’ was suggested as the most fitting for the team.

“Osagyefo was highly interested in using football to unite the whole continent,” Rev. Osei Kofi said on JoyNews.

“Before independence, we were known as the Gold Coast Eleven, but in 1957, after becoming Ghana, the team was named the Ghana national team.

“But in 1959, they decided that now that Black people are capable of managing their own affairs, we should name the team the Black Stars of Africa. That's why we have the name the Black Stars,” he explained.

Ghana has maintained the nickname Black Stars ever since.

JNA/SA