The President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku, has emphasized to the Black Stars players that the illustrious team existed long before they were born.
Otto Addo’s squad is grappling with a challenging start to their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, having suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, followed by a lackluster 1-1 draw with Niger in Morocco.
The team’s performances have drawn significant criticism from fans and pundits alike, leaving their current standing in Group F far from inspiring.
As the Black Stars prepare for a crucial double-header against Sudan, with the first match set for Thursday, October 10, at the Accra Sports Stadium, Okraku visited the team’s camp on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. He encouraged them to reflect on their recent shortcomings against Angola and Niger and to strive for improvement.
"In 1957, Ghana gained independence, led by men with courage; men who did not flee from the battlefield. That’s why we achieved independence," Okraku stated, drawing a parallel between the past and the present.
He further remarked, "When [Mohammed] Kudus, you weren’t born, this team—Black Stars—already existed. Alexander [Djiku], before you were born, this team called Black Stars was here. So, before any of you were born, Black Stars existed. The question now is, in your time, what will be the difference? The difference lies in what you do with the opportunities given to you."
Ghana is eager to turn their fortunes around in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers as they gear up to face Sudan in a pivotal doubleheader this month.
