By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (V/R), June 12, GNA-The demand for Black Stars jerseys in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region has soared across markets, shops, and street-side vendors, ahead of the team’s first world cup fixture against Panama on Wednesday, June 17.
The FIFA World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marked a historic expansion from the traditional 32-team format to an unprecedented 48-nation competition.
Mr Eyram Susuawu, a football enthusiast in Keta, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), that the expansion has heightened public interest in the tournament and ignited a wave of national pride which visibly reflected in the surging demand for the Black Stars playing kit.
“A lot of traders and jersey vendors in the Keta Market and other commercial areas have reported a sharp and sustained increase in sales in recent weeks; everybody wants to wear the Jersey and support black stars,” he said.
He mentioned that many vendors were struggling to keep pace with orders from football fans, youth groups, schools, and supporters’ clubs, who were eager to wear the national colours in solidarity with the Black Stars.
Madam Mawuena Fiagbe, a textile and sportswear trader at Vibers Sports Shop, told GNA that she had never witnessed such high demand in her years of trading.
She attributed the surge to Ghana’s participation in the expanded 48-nation World Cup and the availability of Free-To-Air broadcast rights secured by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
Madam Fiagbe said: “Since it was announced that Ghana is among the 48 countries and that we can watch all matches free on television, the demand for jerseys has been overwhelming. I have had to restock three times already and I still cannot meet all the orders.”
She emphasised that youth footballers and ardent Black Stars supporters, indicated that wearing the jersey had taken on deeper significance this year as the expanded format offers Black Stars greater opportunity to progress further.
“This World Cup has 48 countries, which means more matches, more chances, and more opportunities for our team to show what we are made of. Everybody must wear the jersey with pride.”
Other sports goods dealers noted that both home and away versions of the Black Stars jersey are in high demand with the prices staged at GH₵180.00 per one, while the iconic yellow and white jersey popular among older supporters.
The GNA observed that younger fans have shown strong preference for the away yellow kit, while vendors also reported increased interest in Black Stars-branded accessories including scarves, hats, wristbands, and face paint in national colours.
The local sports authorities have also welcomed the enthusiasm and described the surge in jersey demand as a powerful expression of national identity and community solidarity that transcends age, gender, and social background.
Officials have urged residents to channel their excitement positively and gather in safe, organised viewing environments as the tournament commenced, to take advantage of the Free-To-Air broadcast rights to watch matches together as a community.
Ghana was housed in group L together with England, Panama and Croatia with many fans expressing optimism that Black Stars would progress beyond the group state.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah