The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa, Will Stevens, during a tour of the Accra Sports Stadium last Friday as part of a two-day working visit to Ghana, charged the Black Stars to exact revenge for the USA on regional rivals Panama, who have become a bogey side to Team USA in recent years.

Despite a clear one-sided history of 19 wins, four draws and just six losses in their historical head-to-head meetings in favour of the USA since 1993, Panama has become a thorn in the flesh of Team USA in recent times. 

"Los Canaleros" have won four of the last six meetings against "The Stars and Stripes", including a 1-0 result courtesy substitute Cecilio Waterman's strike deep into injury time in the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals clash in Inglewood, California, in March this year.

This is a stranglehold from which the US diplomat seeks redemption through the Black Stars when Ghana begins its 2026 campaign against the Panamanians in Toronto on June 17. 

Mr Stevens made the call during an interaction with some former Ghanaian internationals, including Sammy Kuffour, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Derrick Boateng, and Abdul Majeed Waris, who all previously played for Ghana at the FIFA World Cup.

Others present were Tony Baffoe, Kwame Ayew and Augustine Ahinful, officials from the US Embassy in Accra, as well as National Sports Authority (NSA) boss, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah.

"Welcome to the World Cup in 2026. I'm hoping to see all of you. You play England, Croatia and Panama. Please, beat Panama for us," Mr Stevens told the gathering without blinking.

His light-hearted request, however, was met with a response from Kwame Ayew, who pointed out that Ghana was more desperate to "demolish" England, whom the Black Stars play in their second group game in Boston on June 23, whilst Derrick Boateng added that the USA would be next.

Mr Stevens, however, was unwavering in his belief in US superiority over Ghana, but still charged the Black Stars to take down England in solidarity with the USA's 250th Independence anniversary, which coincides with the 2026 football spectacle.

"In 2026, we'll celebrate how we defeated England 250 years ago. Now, it's your turn to also beat them. It's a huge task, but I think you can make it," he stated.

"But you will lose to us, of course. We are undefeated since 2014 and we will do it again," he replied Boateng coyly.