On the eve of Ghana’s pivotal FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Chad, a wave of optimism swept through the nation, spearheaded by Ernest Henry Norgbey, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee for Sports and Recreation.
Speaking to a throng of eager reporters and fervent supporters outside the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, March 20, 2025, Norgbey’s voice rang with conviction: “We are all yearning to go to the USA, Canada, and Mexico. I am confident that by tomorrow we will bag all three points against Chad.”
The statement wasn’t just a rallying cry—it was a reflection of the collective dream fueling Ghana’s Black Stars as they chase qualification for the global football spectacle set to unfold across North America in 2026.
For Norgbey, a seasoned politician and ardent football enthusiast, the match against Chad represents more than just a game; it’s a chance to restore national pride after the sting of missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Black Stars’ faltering AFCON campaign, marked by a winless run and a bottom-place finish in their group, had left fans disillusioned. Now, with the World Cup qualifiers in full swing, Norgbey’s words aimed to reignite the passion of a football-mad nation.
Inside the team’s training camp, the mood mirrored Norgbey’s optimism. The squad, bolstered by the return of Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and the dynamic attacking flair of Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo, had been put through their paces by coach Otto Addo.
Despite the absence of several key players due to injuries, the Black Stars exuded a quiet determination. Captain Jordan Ayew, stepping into the leadership role in his brother Andre’s absence, echoed Norgbey’s confidence earlier in the week, promising fans that the team would “give their all” to secure a vital victory.
The matchup against Chad, a team languishing at the bottom of Group I with no points from four games, might seem like a formality on paper. Yet, the Black Stars’ recent struggles against lesser-known sides—such as their shock loss to Niger in the AFCON qualifiers—served as a stark reminder that no victory is guaranteed.
Norgbey, flanked by fellow parliamentarians and sports officials, addressed the crowd with a blend of encouragement and urgency. “This is not just about three points,” he declared
“It’s about showing the world that Ghana football is alive, that the Black Stars can rise again. We’ve stumbled, yes, but tomorrow, we stand tall.” His words drew roars of approval from the fans, many of whom waved flags emblazoned with the team’s iconic black star emblem.
Across the city, anticipation built as local radio stations buzzed with pre-match analysis. Pundits debated whether Addo would opt for an attacking lineup featuring Inaki Williams alongside Kudus and Semenyo, or lean on Partey’s experience to anchor the midfield against a Chad side desperate to halt their losing streak.
The visitors, led by coach Tahir Zakaria Gardia and a squad dominated by home-based players, arrived in Accra four days to the game, quietly determined to spoil Ghana’s party.
Chad’s new football federation president, Tahir Oloy Hassan, had vowed to turn the nation’s football fortunes around, and a result against Ghana would be a seismic statement of intent.
For Norgbey, though, the focus remained on the bigger picture. As Chairman of the Youth & Sports Committee, he has been a vocal advocate for investment in grassroots football and infrastructure—issues laid bare by Ghana’s recent struggles. “Qualifying for the World Cup isn’t just a dream for the players,” he told a small group of journalists after his public address. “It’s a mission for every Ghanaian. The USA, Canada, and Mexico are calling us, and we must answer with action.”
A win would propel the Black Stars closer to their World Cup dream, validating Norgbey’s bold prediction and lifting a nation hungry for redemption. As the teams prepared to take the field, Norgbey’s words hung in the air, a beacon of hope for a team and a people yearning to shine on the world stage once more.
