The story of two FIFA World Cup matches that changed the world's perception of African football - 'It was incredibly unfair'

In the second episode of The Black Stars Podcast, we chronicle the journey of Ghana’s national football team from its early dominance in African football to its struggles and eventual re-emergence on the global stage.

The episode highlights the critical role of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, in building a powerful footballing legacy, only for political turmoil and systemic challenges to undermine the team's progress. It examines the missed opportunities of the 1966 FIFA World Cup boycott, the impact of the 1966 coup, and the Black Stars’ decline during the late 20th century. 

Despite these setbacks, the emergence of Ghanaian stars in European football laid the groundwork for the Black Stars' historic qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, a moment that reignited national pride and put Ghana on the global football map.

We also hear from Professor Paul Darby, who tells the tale of two FIFA World Cup matches, 16 years apart, that completely changed the world's view of African football: one that involved a widely misunderstood protest against a ruthless dictator, and one that saw Maradona's reigning World Cup champions brought crashing down to earth as African football announced itself on the global stage. 

You can listen to Episode 2: The Rise, Fall & Renaissance of the Black Stars here on Spotify, or search for The Black Stars Podcast on your favourite audio platform.  

The Black Stars Podcast is a six-part documentary podcast series by Divicage Productions, in association with GOAL, that investigates the question: why, despite such a wealth of talent, do Ghana's national team, the Black Stars, underperform?

With unprecedented access to the players, coaches, administrators and fans, The Black Stars Podcast brings to life the journey of Ghana on the international stage.  

In Episode 3 of The Black Stars Podcast, "The Struggle for Africa", due to be released on Monday, September 15, the focus is on the complex relationship between Ghana's national football team and its diaspora players. 

The episode explores the choices, tensions and identity struggles faced by Ghanaian footballers born and raised in Europe. It explores what drives players to represent powerhouse nations instead of their ancestral homeland, the challenges of integrating diaspora players into the Black Stars, and whether Ghana is doing enough to harness its global talent pool.

Through personal stories and expert insights, the episode examines how diaspora players impact Ghana's football ambitions and the broader issues of identity, preparation and infrastructure that influence their decisions.