Former Black Stars striker Prince Tagoe has claimed that a lack of “spiritual backing” and “luck,” caused by the current squad’s perceived stinginess, is hindering the national team’s success on the global stage.
Tagoe, a key member of Ghana’s 2010 World Cup quarter-final squad, argued that the team’s historic achievements were bolstered by the players’ willingness to give back to the public—a trait he suggests is missing in the current crop of players.
“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,” Tagoe told Sporty FM.
The senior national team is currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where they face a challenging Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The team enters the tournament seeking to break a streak of three consecutive group-stage exits at major competitions.
Tagoe noted that the public perception of the current players often centers on their reluctance to share their wealth with supporters.
“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,” he stated. “People might not be able to say that in public, but during our time, people used to come around the team because of Stephen Appiah, and we, the players, must ensure that we express our appreciation because these are the same people who will support the team.”
He concluded by emphasizing that talent alone is often insufficient for success in international football: “Sometimes, it is not about how good you are, but you will need to have luck and spiritual backing.”
Ghana’s road to the World Cup includes a series of high-profile friendlies. The Black Stars are scheduled to face Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium on March 27, followed by a clash against Germany in Stuttgart on March 30. A final tune-up match against Mexico is set for May 22 in North America before the tournament begins.