Past results should not divide us - Paul Twum-Barimah rallies support for Black Stars

Former Member of Parliament for the Dormaa East Constituency, Paul Apreku Twum-Barimah, has called on Ghanaians to put aside past disappointments and rally wholeheartedly behind the Black Stars as they begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama today in Toronto, Canada.

According to him, support for the senior national team must rise above frustration and previous setbacks because the Black Stars remain a unifying symbol of Ghana's national identity.

Speaking ahead of Ghana's Group L opener, Twum-Barimah acknowledged that many Ghanaians have become disillusioned by the team's inconsistent performances in recent years and may have little confidence in their ability to excel on the world stage. However, he stressed that moments such as these require unwavering national solidarity rather than criticism and pessimism.

“Regardless of how disappointed Ghanaians may have been in the past, we must support the Black Stars because we are one Ghana. Although many citizens are down and have little or no hope in the team, this is the time to give them our unalloyed support as they begin their World Cup campaign against Panama today and the rest of the Black Stars matches,” he said.

The Black Stars will face Panama at 7:00 p.m. at BMO Field in Toronto in a Group L opener that carries significance far beyond the outcome of a single football match.

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The encounter marks the first-ever meeting between the two nations and also the first time Ghana will play a World Cup match on Canadian soil.

Twum-Barimah described the occasion as a defining moment in Ghana's football journey and a fresh opportunity for the country to rebuild confidence in its footballing future.

He noted that Ghana has endured a difficult period at the FIFA World Cup since its heartbreaking quarter-final exit against Uruguay in 2010, with the Black Stars failing to progress beyond the group stages in subsequent tournaments.

That painful history, he said, continues to shape public expectations and has contributed to the growing scepticism surrounding the national team.

However, he urged Ghanaians not to allow past disappointments to overshadow the future.

According to him, this year's campaign must be seen as an opportunity to restore credibility, rebuild trust and create a new chapter in Ghanaian football.

“Every generation of football presents an opportunity to rewrite history. We cannot continue to judge today's players solely based on previous disappointments. They deserve our support because they carry the hopes and aspirations of the entire nation,” he stated.

Twum-Barimah observed that football in Ghana has always been more than a sporting activity. He described it as one of the country's most powerful unifying forces, capable of bringing together people across political, ethnic, religious and social divides.

“At a time when our nation is often divided along different lines, the Black Stars remain one of the few institutions that can unite all Ghanaians behind a common purpose. When they play, they do not represent a political party, a region or an ethnic group; they represent every Ghanaian,” he said.

He further noted that Ghana enters the tournament carrying both the burden of expectation and the opportunity for renewal.

While Panama may not possess Ghana's rich football history, he cautioned that modern football is no longer won on reputation alone, but through organisation, discipline and mental strength.

He therefore urged the Black Stars to approach the opening fixture with patience, tactical discipline and emotional composure.

“World Cup matches are often decided by emotional control. The team must remain calm under pressure, stay focused and execute their game plan with discipline,” he advised.

Twum-Barimah also highlighted the opportunities presented by the expanded World Cup format, noting that qualification to the knockout stages is no longer reserved for only group winners.

He said every match would be crucial and that consistency would be the key to advancing in the competition.

As Ghana begins another World Cup journey, he appealed to citizens to replace cynicism with encouragement and transform national passion into constructive support.

“Support must be firm, fair and focused. We should not allow disappointment to turn into hostility. Instead, we must encourage the players and stand by them throughout the tournament because they are carrying the flag of Ghana before the world,” he said.

He added that success in the 2026 FIFA World Cup should not be measured solely by how far Ghana progresses in the competition, but also by whether the Black Stars can restore belief in Ghanaian football and reconnect with the hearts of the people.

For Twum-Barimah, today's opening fixture against Panama is more than a football match; it is a test of national unity, resilience and collective belief.

AM

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