The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has blamed the poor performance of the national football team, the Black Stars, on what he describes as the worsening state of the country under the current administration of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mahama made these comments following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, a disappointing result for a team that has traditionally been a source of national pride.

He linked the team’s struggles to the broader challenges facing the nation under the NPP government.

Addressing a crowd at the Akim Oda lorry station on Tuesday, November 19, during his five-day tour of the Eastern Region, Mahama urged Ghanaians to vote for change in the upcoming elections.

He emphasised the need for a new direction for the country, one that would restore hope, progress, and the resurgence of the Black Stars.

Mahama called for a renewed focus on the country’s development and expressed his belief that the revival of the Black Stars would be part of a broader effort to rejuvenate Ghana’s spirit and pride.

He urged Ghanaians to support the NDC’s vision for a better future.

“We have lost everything. Even the Black Stars team, which we used as our source of entertainment, is now in its worst state."

“For the past 20 years, anytime it is time for AFCON, the Black Stars will take part. But we have failed to even make it through qualifiers. We allowed ourselves and the likes of Sudan, a war-torn country that has qualified for AFCON and Black Stars couldn’t. It is all because of the bad governance we have been subjected to for the past eight years."

“But democracy has allowed us to change government every four years. So, we have another opportunity on December 7 to change this government. Let’s do that peacefully,” he stated.