Stephen Appiah backs Black Stars to deliver against Central African Republic
Former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has voiced his confidence in the Black Stars ahead of their all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday, October 8, in Morocco.
Appiah, who captained Ghana to their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2006, believes the current squad possesses the determination and character needed to take the country back to football’s biggest stage. Having watched the team train in recent days, the former Juventus and Fenerbahçe midfielder said the atmosphere reminded him of Ghana’s classic qualifying campaigns.
“As I watch the guys train, it reminds me of some of the biggest qualifiers we played, like against South Africa at FNB,” Appiah said.
“It’s a huge game for Ghana and for them too because the World Cup is massive.”
Reflecting on the team’s earlier matches, Appiah admitted that the Black Stars had a slow start in their win over Chad but remains confident they have taken valuable lessons from that experience.
“Against Chad, we started a bit slow, but I believe they have learnt their lessons now,” he noted.
Known for his leadership and unifying spirit, Appiah ended his remarks with an inspiring message to the players, urging them to play with pride and purpose.
“We believe in them, and I know they believe in themselves. They should do it for themselves and for Mother Ghana.”
The Black Stars, who currently top Group I with 19 points, can book a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with victory over the Central African Republic, depending on results from other fixtures in the group.
