President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kurt E.S. Okraku, has voiced his sadness that the Black Stars were not able to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saying that winning the cup was the team’s dream and hope.
During a press conference in Kumasi, Okraku gave an assessment of the team’s performance, stating that although they had put a lot of effort and money into the competition, they were not successful.
“Our hope, our dream was to bring the cup back home. It didn’t work out and we can’t be disappointed enough,” Okraku said.
However, Okraku remained optimistic about the future of Ghanaian football, stating that the GFA has been reflecting on their work as a team and have made several far-reaching decisions to improve the sport in the country.
“Management and technical decisions have seen us reflect on our work as a team. To reflect on what policies to help bring back the love and glory for the country,” Okraku explained.
According to Okraku, football is a uniting force in Ghana, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and religions.
He emphasised the need for the sport to continue to thrive, stressing that the GFA is committed to making positive changes to ensure the growth and development of football in the country.
“Football is the sport that unites our country Ghana. It is the sport that has brought us together, It is the sport that has brought religious and people from varied backgrounds together,” Okraku noted.
The GFA President also disclosed that the association has been engaged in a reflective period, during which they have been assessing their performance and identifying areas for improvement.
“It’s been a reflective period for us and we have to be decisive and take far-reaching decisions that will impact positively in the game,” Okraku added.
Following the Black Stars’ early elimination from the AFCON tournament—they lost all of their group matches and were never victorious—Okraku made these comments.
Due to the team’s terrible performance, the GFA has been subject to intense criticism and calls for reform.
Notwithstanding the setback, Okraku is still optimistic that the GFA can turn things around and implement constructive measures to improve Ghanaian sports.