Veteran politician Dr. Tony Aidoo has shared a deeply personal wish to live long enough to see the Black Stars, Ghana’s national football team, not only qualify for the World Cup but also perform exceptionally well during the tournament.
“All I want to see is live long enough to see the Black Stars qualify for the World Cup and see them play well during the World Cup,” the former senior presidential advisor said in an interview with Radio Gold on September 18.
This aspiration, he says, is a matter of national pride and a testament to his lifelong passion for football.
Dr. Aidoo’s connection to the sport dates back to his time in London, where his house shared a wall with West Ham United’s former home, Upton Park (officially known as the Boleyn Ground).
He recalled how he used to watch matches from his back balcony until renovations increased the stadium wall’s height.
“My house in London used to share a wall with West Ham’s Upton Park,” he said. “So sometimes I used to stand on the balcony, the back room of my house, and I could see the field till they increased the length of the wall.”
This proximity fostered a deep-seated love for London clubs, though his primary allegiance was with Arsenal.
“I was supporting West Ham. In fact, I was supporting all London clubs. Tottenham, West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea. But when any of them meet Arsenal, I want Arsenal to win. But apart from that, any team that comes to London to play, I want the London club to win.”
The Black Stars have a storied history at the World Cup.
They first qualified in 2006, becoming the only African team to advance to the knockout stage that year.
Their most memorable performance came at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they reached the quarter-finals, narrowly missing a spot in the semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout against Uruguay.
The team also qualified for the 2014 and 2022 tournaments but was eliminated at the group stage on both occasions.
Ghana is currently in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup to be held in Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
They lead Group I in the African qualifiers with 19 points, three clear of second-placed Madagascar.
With just a single win needed from their final two matches against the Central African Republic and Comoros, the Black Stars’ destiny is firmly in their hands.
Dr. Aidoo’s wish is one shared by millions of Ghanaians who hope to see the Black Stars not only make it to the biggest stage in football but also replicate and perhaps surpass their historic 2010 run.