Kwesi Nyantakyi says Black Stars deliver when expectations are low

Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has urged Ghanaians not to understimate the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the team has a history of defying the odds when expectations are at their lowest.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Nyantakyi acknowledged the growing pessimism surrounding the team, who are on a run of five consecutive defeats and have been knocked out in the group stages of their last three major tournaments. Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama.

But the man who oversaw Ghana's successful campaigns at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups remains confident in a turnaround.

"As I told somebody yesterday, never write off any Ghana team," Nyantakyi said. "The time that you have little faith in them is when they spring surprises. Let us rally behind them, and I think they can do well."

The Black Stars have opened camp with 28 players, which will be trimmed to 26 for the final World Cup squad, ahead of their friendly against Wales in Cardiff on June 2.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz has insisted that only "deserving players" will be selected for the expanded 48-team tournament.

For Nyantakyi, the message is clear: Ghana has surprised the world before, and they can do it again.