Kurt Okraku, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), called upon the nation to unite in support of the Black Stars as they prepare for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Okraku emphasized the collective backing needed during the final announcement of the 27-man squad for the tournament in Ivory Coast on Monday morning.
Addressing the media, Mr. Okraku stressed the importance of putting aside individual preferences regarding player selection and urged the entire country to rally behind Chris Hughton's final squad.
He highlighted the significance of traveling to Ivory Coast as a united front, emphasizing that such collective support is crucial for the players to maintain focus and deliver peak performances.
Expressing his plea for nationwide support, Okraku stated, "All of us hear have opinions on who must be in the squad for the AFCON, whether the player is your friend or your brother we must support the team.
"My plea to all of us is that the entire nation must get behind the team, we have one single senior national team in the men, and these men are the Black Stars, let’s get behind the squad, let’s us leave behind us the past and as Ghanaians let’s support the team who have been called to represent Ghana in Cote D’Ivoire.
Acknowledging recent challenges, Okraku urged Ghanaians to continue supporting the team, recognizing that collective backing is essential for success.
"This is the only way the team can deliver, we all know the performance of the team in the last few months has not been good, but let us continue to support the team," he added.
The Black Stars will commence their training camp on January 2 in Kumasi, with a preparatory game against Namibia scheduled for January 8 at the Baba Yara Stadium. The team will then depart for Ivory Coast on January 10.
Ghana is placed in Group B for the upcoming tournament, facing tough opponents such as Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
