Ghana’s Black Stars trending no1 in Nigeria for all the wrong reasons

Black Stars, the nickname of Ghana’s senior men’s football team is trending on Nigeria’s Twitter space.

A quick check on the microblogging platform shows the harsh tag (Black Stars) topping the trends at number one with more than 5,000 tweets as fans share their thoughts by the minute.

A review of majority of the tweets indicates discontent at the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) for their handling of preparation ahead of the crucial tie against the Super Eagles of Nigeria while some others have bashed the sporting authority for their delay in the start of the press conference that will officially unveil the squad list for the game.

The presser which was meant to be a live session originally scheduled for 8:30 (Ghana Time) and 9:30 (Nigeria time) has yet to begin per checks from our correspondent in Accra.

“They have lost touch with the reality. Who monetize Black Stars news at this time?? Who??” a dissatisfied Twitter user with the handle, @obbampoegh wrote.

Meanwhile, Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, a sports journalist with a local media house, Citi TV/Citi Radio per his tweets intimates that the presser could delay longer than anticipated. He said in a tweet: “The Black Stars coaches’ address won’t start any time soon. The players who arrived in the country last night will have breakfast with the technical team at 9am, after which that address can happen. #Citisports”

The preparation of the Black Stars ahead of this crucial tie has been hit with some uncertainty. A lack of communication by the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ghana Football Association meant the hosting of the game was transferred from the Cape Coast Stadium to the Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi after a FIFA/CAF inspection team deemed the former unfit.

The decision from the GFA to withhold the squad list from Ghanaians was also problematic, causing a stir on social media. It noted the decision was a technical decision backed by the Black Stars management committee to avoid social media abuse targeted at the players.

Defending its position, GFA communications director Henry Asante Twum said as quoted by the Ghanaian Times, said: “It is a technical decision backed by management, and it is a well-thought-out and purely strategic move.”

“They felt it’s a way of controlling or minimizing the abuse that normally takes place before games, especially on social media. Sometimes, the public abuse gets to the players and affects their mentality,” he added.

According to reports, all the Black Stars coaches Otto Addo, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and George Boateng have arrived in Ghana ahead of the game. Technical Advisor, Chris Hughton arrived on Friday, March 18.

Ghana captain, Dede Ayew and Benjamin Tetteh are not expected to be in the squad following their red cads at the African Cup of Nations.

Jordan Ayew is also expected to miss out after contracting coronavirus while Rennes youngster Kamaldeen Sulemana may also not feature in the game following a back injury which has kept him out of action since February 11.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa, Saudi Arabia-based striker Odion Ighalo and Watford trio William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo and Emmanuel Dennis have arrived at the Abuja camp of the national team ahead of the crucial Qatar 2022 World Cup final qualifier against Ghana.

The three Watford players, along with Ighalo, flew into Abuja from Lagos Sunday night and will be in camp early on Monday (today).

Other players expected in camp later today are Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, Abdulahi Shehu, Maduka Okoye, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and Ola Aina.

Others are Samuel Chukwueze, Zaidu Sanusi, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho and Daniel Akpeyi.

See some reactions below

@Obengnat wrote: “Ghana Football Association, please this is not only shameful but also disrespectful. You can’t ask Ghanaians to pay GHC3 to get information about Black Stars at 8:30am and still keep the public in suspense as at 10:30am.”

@theyawofosu said: “A country where we beg for everything – good roads, hospitals, electricity, water and now a new one; the Black Stars squad.”

@taadiboy4real said: “They are releasing the squad like akpeteshie ” tot tot” lol , Kurt and co please be serious with black stars.”

@yeboah_felix said: “The love can never be back when you expect Ghanaians to pay on your app to get Information on the national team. Ghana is for everyone and we all deserve to get any Information pertaining our black stars.”

@Ryko_ATL commented: “If this silly strategy of not releasing the squad by the gfa works out on Friday we are dead. We will never see the black stars squad ahead of their games ever again!”

@talk2desage said: “The FA should continue dreaming thinking Ghanaians can’t do without the black stars.”

@Fareed_herrera said: “Telling over 30million Ghanaians to commit GHS5 payment to watch an app that has less than 20,000 subscribers at the expense of National television and other social media tools is a huge disrespect to the taxpayers who have been funding the activities of the Black Stars.”