Former communications director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Ibrahim Saanie Daara, has advised Ghanaians not to rain insults on Black Stars players if they are unable to live up to expectations in certain games.
Some Black Stars players have expressed their worry about how Ghanaians go overboard to criticize them in bad times.
Baba Rahman, who plies his trade for PAOK in Greece, was verbally abused while on national duty. As a result, the former Chelsea player, who is currently on top form in Greece, has been dragging his feet to return to the national team.
Similarly, Gideon Mensah, who has been playing the left-back role in the absence of Baba Rahman, was verbally abused by some Ghanaians when the Black Stars played Central Africa Republic in Kumasi.
However, Saanie Daara, who was in attendance during the crucial fixture last Monday, has called on Ghanaians to refrain from insults as a means of expressing their discomfort.
“Gideon Mensah has been doing well for the Black Stars. I saw people criticizing him, but it would be prudent for Ghanaians to support him during difficult times. Baba Rahman has decided to stay back from the national team because of such acts, so these are the things we should be thinking about. I heard people bashing Ati-Zigi, but don’t forget, he saved us days ago in Mali. We shouldn’t betray our players if they don’t get their day,” he told Kessben FM.
The Black Stars ended their winless run this year after recording back-to-back wins during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana defeated Mali 2-1 in Bamako before returning to Kumasi to snatch a 4-3 victory over Central Africa Republic.