Before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) begins, Black Stars captain Andre Ayew feels it’s about time the team realized they are not the same heavyweights they once were on the continent.
Ghana will be participating in their 23rd AFCON since the competition’s founding in 1957, this time in Ivory Coast. Despite winning the competition four times, the Black Stars have not lifted the trophy since their previous victory in 1982.
Ghana’s previous appearance in the continental championship game was in 2015, when they were defeated by Ivory Coast on penalties. Additionally, in the previous two big events, they were unable to go past the group round.
The captain of the team has urged Ghanaians to accept that the team is far from perfection ahead of the opening match.
“At the World Cup [in Qatar], we gave it our all. We’re ready for Cape Verde and working hard,” he informed the media.
“We were favourites once, but we’re not favourites now. We must accept it and put forth a lot of effort.”
Notwithstanding the calibre of players in Ghana’s squad, the Black Stars are not among the favourites to win the 34th AFCON.
That might work in the team’s favour, according to Ayew.
“A number of teams that were not predicted to win the AFCON have done so. Teams predicted to win it have happened,” he continued.
“We must enter through the open door because AFCON is unpredictable. We’ll put in our best effort.
On Sunday, January 14, Ghana will play their first match of the campaign in Ivory Coast against Cape Verde. They will next play in Egypt and Mozambique.
