Former Ghana striker Prince Tagoe says the current Ghana national football team squad may be missing an important ingredient behind their recent struggles, which is spiritual support from fans.
The Black Stars have endured a difficult period in recent years. They exited at the group stage of back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2021 and 2023, held in Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively.
The four-time African champions also failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, their first absence from the competition in more than 20 years.
However, they responded by sealing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking to Sporty FM, Tagoe said he believes the current squad has lost touch with supporters.
"As a former player, during my playing days with the Black Stars, it was not as if we were too good, but I believe we had good luck and spiritual backing for the team, and it always comes with giving out to people.
"If you play for the Black Stars and you don't show love to the people who come to cheer you up, or you don't care about the people who knew you while growing up, it becomes a problem. These are the same people who will be praying for the team.
"Sometimes we also contributed and supported charity works. This is what I want to see in this current team because I don't think this current team do that."
Tagoe, who also played for Accra Hearts of Oak, said many players are seen as distant from fans, a sharp contrast, he claims, to former captain Stephen Appiah.
"We are all in Ghana, and most of these players playing for the Black Stars have been described as stingy players, and that is the fact. People might not say it in public.
"During our time, people used to come around the team because of Stephen Appiah. We, the players, must ensure that we express our appreciation because these are the same people who will support the team.
"Sometimes, it is not about how good you are, but you will need to have luck and spiritual backing."
Ghana will make their fifth World Cup appearance in 2026. They have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.
The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on 17 June, face England on 23 June and conclude the group stage against Croatia on 27 June.
After group-stage exits at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups in Brazil and Qatar, the team will hope for a deeper run in 2026, where they will be based at Bryant University in the United States throughout the tournament.
By: Pascal Amoah
