International sports journalist Angela Akua Asante has singled out Black Stars’ Mubarak Wakaso for praise for his exploits at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. According to her, the 29-year-old midfielder ranks as the best among a handful of players that stood out for Ghana despite the unsuccessful campaign in Egypt this summer.

Having returned from her duties as Ghana’s “unofficial ambassador” at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, AAAA recounted her experiences in the newly-premiered interview dubbed “Triple-A Tells Her Story”. The controversial 1-hour encounter captures a myriad of subjects including her journey as an independent international sports journalist, the media landscape in Ghana, her recent escapade in France, the failing Ghana Black Stars, Women’s Football and the #EqualPay campaign among other topics.

On her impression about the current Black Stars squad amid calls for a revamp, Angela Akua Asante expressed her fondness for Mubarak Wakaso and insisted that the midfielder was the most patriotic at AFCON 2019. The Alaves midfielder picked up his second Man of the Match award after Ghana crashed out in the quarter-finals against Tunisia and would be remembered for his emotional post-match interview.

“One guy whom I think was fantastic was Mubarak Wakaso,” Angela stated.

“Honestly, I was rooting for every opponent of the Black Stars at the AFCON. Like I said earlier, I have no feelings for these guys anymore because they really betrayed the nation -- not just the players but the whole system and I can never support that kind of thing.

“Even though I was in that kind of mood, I saw Mubarak Wakaso on the pitch doing everything he could and I think he was really playing for himself and for the nation without any ego whatsoever.“

“I will say Mubaraka Wakaso is one guy that, if ever the Black Stars get revamped, should have his name on the list to remain in the team. I cannot talk about the rest.”



In the case of the country’s flagship football team, Triple A had reservations about the contrasting treatments given to the male and female national teams -- taking into consideration the former’s lack of trophies in almost four decades now. With the disappointing displays at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil as well as at the AFCON 2019 as case studies, the ex-BBC World Service correspondent opined that the Black Stars are “over-pampered” and that much attention should be given to other aspects of sports in Ghana.