Out now, Ara Ẹni also launches the “Pass the Ball of Hope” campaign, opening her first official pass to the Black Stars.
NEW YORK — June 19, 2026 — Ghanaians everywhere are still buzzing from the Black Stars’ stoppage-time winner over Panama in their World Cup opener, and gospel-soul artist Ara Ẹni is releasing her new single “For My Matter” (produced by Daniels Andrew, known as Tbeatz) today.
“For My Matter” is an uplifting Afrobeats gospel song built on a message of faith: no matter what you’re facing, God can turn it around. It’s Ara Ẹni’s own story, and this week it’s New York’s too. Ghana’s stoppage-time win over Panama came June 17; the Knicks paraded their first championship in 53 years through the city the very next day, one of the rare moments New York has felt united behind a single win. “For My Matter” arrives today riding that same spirit, for anyone still trying, still showing up, who needs a reason to keep believing.
The road ahead: Ghana faces England on June 23 in Boston and Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia, a path that could send the Black Stars into the knockout rounds for the first time since 2010.
Pass the Ball of Hope (#PassTheBall): Ara Ẹni’s first official pass of the Ball went out before kickoff, joining the wave of Ghanaians across social media sending the Black Stars encouragement ahead of the match. The campaign invites fans to post a short video, a breakthrough, a word of encouragement, or simply a praise break or dance to “For My Matter,” then tag someone to pass it forward. No words required, just gratitude. Any win counts: a new job, a graduation, even making it through a hard week.
“I passed the ball to the Black Stars before that match even kicked off,” said Ara Ẹni. “I wasn’t alone — so many of us, back home and in the diaspora, were sending them strength before we knew how it would end. We’re so proud of them for sneaking in that goal and securing the three points, and watching the Knicks parade their first championship in 53 years through a city united behind one win, it says it all. Breakthrough can come when it looks impossible, and it’s never wrong to dance in advance. Right now all eyes are on England and Croatia. We’ll have them in prayer and send them our love and support. Win or lose from here, we’ve already won, just by coming together like this. Osey yie to the Black Stars!”
Streaming and campaign details: “For My Matter” is out now. Stream and share it using #ForMyMatter, and join the Pass the Ball of Hope movement using #PassTheBall. https://ffm.to/for-my-matter
About Ara Ẹni
Ara Ẹni (Olufunmilola Serwa Babalola) is a Ghanaian-Nigerian-American singer-songwriter and senior software engineer whose music is rooted in R&B and contemporary worship, now expanding into Afrobeats with her latest single. Born in the United States to Ghanaian and Nigerian parents, she was educated in Ghana at Tema Parents’ Association School and Wesley Girls’ High School in Cape Coast, before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Her catalogue includes “I Just Wanna Worship,” “To The Girl,” and “It Was You,” all produced by Daniels Andrew (Tbeatz).
