The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has expressed his deep disappointment and frustration over the Black Stars’ dismal failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Okraku addressing journalists acknowledged that the team’s poor performance has been a harsh learning experience for everyone involved.
Ghana’s failure to qualify for the AFCON for the first time in 20 years has sent shockwaves throughout the country.
The four-time African champions endured a disastrous qualification campaign, finishing at the bottom of their group with a paltry three points after six matches.
The team’s struggles were compounded by a lackluster 2024 campaign, which yielded only two victories against Mali and the Central African Republic.
Okraku’s admission of “hard lessons learned” is a clear indication that the GFA is taking responsibility for the team’s failure.
He emphasized that the setback has been a motivating factor for everyone involved, saying, “I hope that the players, technical team, and everybody within the space will definitely not be happy, and that will be a motivation for all of us as far as our responsibilities to the nation are concerned.”
As the Black Stars prepare to regroup for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Okraku’s words serve as a rallying cry for the team to redeem themselves.
The team will resume training on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Accra, ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers. Ghana will face Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, before traveling to Morocco for a Group I clash against Madagascar on Monday, March 24, 2025.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
