MOHAMMED POLO URGES FOCUS AND DEDICATION IN BLACK STARS AHEAD OF WORLD CUP

Former Ghana international Mohammed Ahmed Polo has urged players of the Ghana national football team (Black Stars) to focus more on performance rather than public comments ahead of the next World Cup. Speaking in an interview with sports journalist Paul Napoleon Agyemang on the Sports Scoreboard program on ICAD TV, Polo reacted to comments by Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew that the current squad is ready for the tournament. According to Polo, football professionalism today is very different from what players experienced in his generation. He said players should concentrate on playing and leave certain public statements to team leaders and management. He explained that Jordan Ayew only expressed his opinion and that the final decision about the squad will come from the technical team and management. Polo also compared football in his era to the modern game, noting that many players during his time started their careers in Ghana before moving abroad, while today many players develop their careers outside the country. He added that the strong sense of patriotism that existed in the past has reduced, stressing that playing for the national team requires heart and dedication. The former star further stated that although Ghana has qualified for the World Cup five times, the overall performance of the team has declined compared to earlier years. He called for improvements in preparation and commitment to ensure better results. Reflecting on his generation, Polo said players sacrificed a lot to represent Ghana, often playing without expecting financial rewards. He noted that modern footballers are more financially secure and enjoy better welfare, including medical support and personal care. Despite these changes, Polo emphasized that dedication, quality, and commitment remain essential for the Black Stars to succeed on the global stage.