Forget about playing for Black Stars if you cannot sing the national anthem - President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has urged Black Stars players to demonstrate greater patriotism and commitment whenever they wear the national jersey.

The President’s comments come after Ghana’s senior national team was eliminated from the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia.

Speaking in a light-hearted but firm manner, Mahama questioned the attitude of some players during national team assignments, particularly their participation in singing the national anthem before matches.

He noted that players from other countries often displayed pride and passion while representing their nations, insisting that such commitment should also be evident among members of the Black Stars.

"During the World Cup, our players couldn't sing the national anthem, while players from other countries sang with pride. If you cannot sing the anthem, you cannot be in the team," Mahama said.

The Black Stars showed resilience during the tournament, producing competitive displays against some of the world’s top sides and earning praise for their fighting spirit.

However, Ghana’s campaign ended in disappointment after the team failed to advance to the knockout stage, with the defeat to Colombia proving decisive in their elimination.

The four-time African champions will now shift their focus to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in September 2026, as they look to rebuild ahead of future international competitions.