Ghana football legend Mohammed Polo has suggested that the Black Stars’ recent struggles may have a spiritual dimension after their shocking 4-2 defeat to The Gambia in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Black Stars appeared to be cruising after taking a two-goal lead at the Accra Sports Stadium, but a dramatic collapse allowed The Gambia to turn the game around and claim all three points.
The defeat followed Ghana’s earlier 2-0 loss to Ivory Coast in Bouake, leaving the Black Stars without a point from their opening two qualifying matches.
Speaking to Swiit FM, Polo said he was stunned by the result and suggested that the problems surrounding Ghana football could go beyond what is happening on the pitch.
“I was shocked,” Polo said. “I went to the Ghana FA headquarters for a personal engagement on the same matchday, but I didn’t know the Black Stars were going to play. There were no signs in town, and I think there is a problem somewhere.”
The former Hearts of Oak player subsequently raised concerns about what he described as a possible spiritual problem affecting the country’s football.
“To be frank, looking at the performance of Kurt Okraku’s-led administration and how he is striving to develop Ghana football, things are not going as expected. I think Ghana is being hunted spiritually. There is a problem which must be rectified,” he said.
Despite his concerns about the state of Ghana football, Polo defended Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku against criticism over the Black Stars’ poor performances.
He argued that Okraku should not be held responsible for the team’s results and maintained that the GFA president had been making efforts to develop the sport.
“Kurt Okraku is performing; he is not the problem, and I must be honest. I have been in the game since 1972, and I think Ghana football is rich now under Kurt,” Polo added.
He also pointed to the recent elimination of Medeama and Nations FC from African club competitions as examples of results that should not automatically be blamed on the GFA president.
“Just recently, Medeama and Nations FC were eliminated from the African club competitions. You fault Kurt Okraku for what? Is he a footballer?” he asked.
The Black Stars now face an early challenge in Group C after consecutive defeats to Ivory Coast and The Gambia.
Ghana will need to recover quickly in the remaining qualifiers if they are to improve their position in the group and keep their hopes of reaching the 2027 AFCON tournament alive.
