President of the Ghana Football Association(GFA),Edwin Simon Kurt Okraku,has called for the support of Ghanaians’ behind the Black Stars ahead of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The 34th edition of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held from January 13 to February 11, 2024, where 24 nations will compete for the most prestigious trophy on the African continent.Ahead of the tournament,Black Stars Head Coach,Chris Hughton,named his final 27-man squad for the competition.
Speaking at the Squad announcement ceremony,Kurt Okraku called for the support of Ghanaians for the team as he believes the only way the team can achieve success is through continues support from Ghanaians
“All of us here 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.
“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 full 27-man squad below
Goalkeepers:
Lawrence Ati Zigi
Richard Ofori
Jojo Wollacott
Defenders:
Alidu Seidu
Dennis Odoi
Kingsley Schindler
Gideon Mensah
Issahaku Fatawu
Daniel Amartey
Nicholas Opoku
Alexander Djiku
Mohammed Salisu
Midfielders:
Samed Salis
Baba Iddrisu
Majeed Ashimeru
Elisha Owusu
Richmond Lamptey
Mohammed Kudus
Andre Ayew
Ransford Konigsdorffer
Osman Bukari
Joseph Paintsil
Jordan Ayew
Ernest Nuamah
Strikers:
Inaki Williams
Antoine Semenyo
Jonathan Sowah
Vice captain of the side,Thomas Partey together with Baba Abdul Rahman and Leicester city loanee,Abdul Fatawu Issahaku,missed out on the final squad after initially making the 55-man provisional list.Partey’s omission was down to injury while the latter two decided to opt out of the squad on personal notes.
The Black Stars of Ghana led by Head Coach Chris Hughton will open their campaign against Cape Verde on Sunday, January 14, before taking on record holders Egypt on January 18 and play Mozambique on January 22 in their final Group B game.
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Story by:David Kwaku Dzaku |univers.ug.edu.gh
