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GFA Issues Public Apology After Black Stars’ AFCON Qualification Failure

by admin November 21, 2024

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has issued a heartfelt apology to Ghanaians following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The national team’s poor performance in the qualifiers has left fans across the country disappointed and disheartened.

In a detailed statement released days after the Black Stars poor Afcon qualifiers campaign the GFA acknowledged the pain caused by the team’s inability to meet expectations, stating, “We understand the disappointment and frustration this failure has caused, and we share in the pain and sadness of our beloved fans.”

The statement emphasized gratitude to the nation’s loyal supporters, whose passion and unwavering encouragement remain vital to the future of Ghanaian football. It also outlined decisive steps aimed at restructuring and rebuilding the national team and the broader football system.

Key Decisions Taken by the GFA:

Dissolution of the Black Stars’ Management Committee:
The GFA has disbanded the current management team of the Black Stars with immediate effect, thanking them for their service but signaling the need for a new direction.
Evaluation of the Technical Team:
Head Coach Otto Addo is set to meet with the GFA Executive Council on November 27, 2024, to present a technical report on the AFCON qualifiers and review the overall performance of his team. This meeting is expected to influence decisions on the future leadership of the Black Stars’ technical bench.

To foster unity and gather fresh ideas for the future, the GFA has announced a landmark Ghana Football Retreat. Scheduled for November 28, 2024, at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence, the event will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including:

SWAG and Media

National Sports Authority

PFAG

Former captains, players, and coaches

Traditional rulers and opinion leaders

Ministries of Sports, Finance, and Education

Ghana Revenue Authority and Ghana Tourism Authority

The retreat’s primary goal is to create a roadmap for revitalizing the Black Stars and other national teams. The GFA hopes the forum will yield innovative solutions and reaffirm its commitment to restoring Ghana’s football glory.

GFA calls for Patience and Unity

The statement ended with an appeal to the Ghanaian people to remain patient and united as the GFA works to rebuild. “We appreciate the support and patience of the Ghanaian people and look forward to making amends in the future,” the GFA assured.

While the failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 is undoubtedly a significant setback, the association’s proactive response and commitment to reform have given fans a glimmer of hope. As the nation rallies around its beloved sport, all eyes will be on the upcoming retreat and subsequent decisions to chart a new course for Ghanaian football.

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November 21, 2024 0 comment 7 views

Sports

GFA Prez,Kurt Okraku Reacts to Ghana’s AFCON Qualifying Campaign Collapse

by admin November 18, 2024

The Accra Sports Stadium fell eerily silent as the referee’s whistle confirmed what many feared — a 1-2 loss to Niger in the final game of the 2024 AFCON qualifiers. The defeat marked the end of a tumultuous campaign for the Black Stars, who failed to secure a single win in six matches, drawing three and losing three. For a country that has long prided itself on its footballing heritage, this was uncharted territory — a moment many have labeled the darkest in Ghana’s football history.

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, visibly disappointed, took to his Facebook page after the game to express his thoughts and reassure a disheartened nation. In his post, he reflected on the contrasting fortunes of Ghanaian football, from the exhilarating heights of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on March 29, 2022, to the heartbreak of this failed AFCON campaign.

“From the highest heights of world football on the 29th of March 2022 to the lowest ebb of AFCON qualifying matches. My heart bleeds. Definitely, this is not what we want or what we bargained for,” Okraku wrote.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Okraku called for unity, resilience, and introspection among Ghanaian football stakeholders. “At this point, only cool heads can win, and we, as leaders of our sport, will stay together, be honest with ourselves, and fix this problem. The road to full recovery after normalization is definitely bumpy and rough, but our collective efforts and patience will win, and Ghana, our beloved country, will win.”

The GFA President also shared in the fans’ anguish, recognizing the deep emotional connection between the nation and its football team. “As a Black Stars fan and as the leader, I share in your pain and in our pain. We will rise from this temporary setback. It shall be well.”

The loss to Niger has reignited questions about the state of Ghanaian football, with fans, pundits, and former players demanding accountability and immediate reforms. Okraku’s words, while reassuring, serve as a reminder of the work that lies ahead to restore Ghana’s place as a powerhouse in African football.

As the country reflects on this low point, the focus shifts to rebuilding — re-evaluating strategies, structures, and systems to ensure that the Black Stars can once again shine on the continental and global stage. For now, however, the pain of this campaign lingers, a stark reminder of the challenges that come with maintaining footballing excellence.

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November 18, 2024 0 comment 6 views

Sports

GFA Focuses on “Positive Mindset” Ahead of Ghana’s Crucial AFCON Qualifiers Against Angola and Niger

by admin November 12, 2024

As Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, prepare for their crucial AFCON qualifying matches, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With only two games left, the team’s fate is on the line, and their qualification hopes hinge not only on their own performances but also on other outcomes in the group. Speaking to the media ahead of these decisive encounters, Ghana Football Association (GFA) spokesperson Henry Asante Twum shared insight into the team’s mindset and strategy as they face Angola and Niger.

“Unfortunately, we do not have time on our hands,” Twum began, acknowledging the urgency of the situation. “We are very much focused on the game and we want to go into it with a positive mindset. That has always been the driving force for this team. We go into games with a plan to win, but unfortunately, we haven’t had the results in the last four games.”

The Black Stars have indeed faced a difficult journey through the qualifiers so far, struggling to find their rhythm and consistency. The team’s chances of qualification are currently out of their control, dependent not only on their results but also on the outcomes of other matches in the group.

“While our chances of qualifying are not in our hands,” Twum added, “we have to remain positive. We will try as much as possible to go to Angola and fight very hard. We will give it our 100% energy and go for the points. If it works for us, we’ll be happy, and then we will come back home and face Niger with the same attitude. That is the mentality we are going into the games with.”

The Black Stars will travel to Luanda to face Angola on Friday, 15th November, 2024. This away game promises to be a tough challenge, as Angola is also vying for qualification. Three days later, on 18th November, the team will return to Accra to face Niger in their final match of the group stage, hoping to secure the win they need to keep their hopes alive.

With a clear objective and a fighting spirit, the Black Stars are ready to give their all in these decisive games, carrying with them the hopes and aspirations of an entire nation.

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November 12, 2024 0 comment 10 views

Sports

Former GFA Vice President George Afriyie Accuses Kurt of Manipulation in Black Stars

by admin November 8, 2024

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has raised serious allegations about the motivations behind certain coaching appointments within the Black Stars, Ghana’s national football team. Afriyie, who served under ex-GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, claims that current GFA President Kurt Okraku appointed C.K. Akonnor as the head coach of the Black Stars with an ulterior motive: to exercise control over him and the team.

According to Afriyie, Kurt Okraku’s decision to sack Kwasi Appiah from his role as head coach was influenced by Okraku’s goal to push the Black Stars into the top 10 teams in the world rankings. “Kurt said he would ensure that the Black Stars are ranked among the top 10 teams in the world. Therefore, Kwasi Appiah is not qualified to be the head coach of the Black Stars. This was Kurt Okraku,” Afriyie stated, implying that Okraku felt Appiah could not meet these lofty expectations.

However, Afriyie questioned the appointment of Akonnor, who had previously coached under Okraku. He alleged that Akonnor was selected not based on his qualifications, but rather because Okraku saw him as someone he could easily influence. “From his own assessment, the deputy C.K. Akonnor, who was his own coach, was qualified. He didn’t let C.K. lead but only appointed him to manipulate him,” Afriyie said, suggesting that Okraku wanted a coach he could control in crucial team decisions.

Afriyie also claimed that Akonnor himself eventually realized he was being used, even though he initially resisted such suggestions. “When some of you were saying it, C.K. didn’t want to admit it, but he eventually admitted after he was sacked,” Afriyie added, indicating that Akonnor came to terms with the situation only after he was removed from his position.

The former Vice President further highlighted that one of the primary issues faced by Akonnor during his tenure was the lack of autonomy in player selection. “This is public knowledge, this is everywhere. [Having a final say on player selection] was always a challenge,” Afriyie stated, underscoring the difficulty for coaches to make independent decisions regarding the team roster.

These allegations bring to light concerns over the internal dynamics within the Ghana Football Association and the influence wielded by its leadership over team management. The claims, if true, raise questions about the independence of the Black Stars’ coaching staff and the integrity of team selection processes, as well as the pressures on coaches to align with administrative agendas.

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November 8, 2024 0 comment 113 views

GFA

GFA Issues Public Apology After Black Stars’ AFCON Qualification Failure

GFA Prez,Kurt Okraku Reacts to Ghana’s AFCON Qualifying Campaign Collapse

GFA Focuses on “Positive Mindset” Ahead of Ghana’s Crucial AFCON Qualifiers Against Angola and Niger

Former GFA Vice President George Afriyie Accuses Kurt of Manipulation in Black Stars

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