AFCON 2023

AFCON 2023 : Five things that could sway in BlackStars’ favor to break the 42-year trophy drought.

Published

3 years ago

January 13, 2024

The BlackStars secured their ticket to the AFCON 2023 making it their 10th successive and 24th in general since the commencement of the tournament in 1957.

The senior male team topped Group E with 12 points from six games which saw them qualify for the tournament slated for neighboring, Cote d’Ivoire.

Some years ago, the love the BlackStars used to court was sensational, the whole country rallied behind them during game days and thereafter. The love back then was pure and unadulterated.

Following the happenings at the World Cup in Brazil, in 2014, and other culminating factors the love dwindled and has yet to peak up again even though, the current President Kurt Okraku has taken steps to reignite the love it hasn’t yielded positive dividends.

Their participation at the AFCON 2021 didn’t go as planned, in a group that had Morocco, Gabon, Comoros, and Ghana, everyone held the strong opinion that if for nothing at all, the BlackStars would be one of two sides to advance past the groups stages, but in a shocking turn of events, they were bottom with a point and a goal deficit of two goals.

Fast-forward, the BlackStars will hope to make amends for their years of poor showing at the AFCON.

In this piece, I will enumerate some possible factors that could sway in favor of the Black Stars to do well in the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

THE ANDRE AYEW FACTOR

If there is a player who has held his guard for all these number years, it’s the captain of the Black Stars, Andre Ayew. Since he made his debut at the AFCON in 2008, when the tournament was stage on home soil. He has gone on to make, 8 and played 34 games within that interval. If anything inspires, hope and belief, it’s his sheer longevity, experience, and composure in playing through the many travails that he has faced with the national team. The team will count on him when the going gets tough and hopefully, he turns up when push comes to shove.

MOHAMMED KUDUS

A look around most football countries that have performed well or won a trophy with their country on the continent comes down to the sheer brilliance of one or two players that combine arsenals to spur their respective countries on to victory. Sadio Mane helped Senegal to victory, in 2021, Salah has been on the losing trail in the finals of 2017 and 2021, Sunday Mbah with Nigeria in 2013, and others.

AL WAKRAH, QATAR – DECEMBER 02: Mohammed Kudus of Ghana during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on December 2, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

Since Mohammed Kudus’ move to WestHam in the English Premier League, it’s been one blockbuster performance after the other drawing loads of praise from his peers, club manager, ex-footballers, pundits, fans, and numerous well-wishers beyond the globe. He has been on a roller-coaster until a small injury kept him out of club football but on a bright note he has been able to shake that injury off which should see him play a vital role in Ghana’s opening game against Cape Verde.

CHRIS HUGHTON

The ex-Brighton manager is coming into a rather unfamiliar territory. His first stint with an African side, BlackStars as well as his maiden participation at the AFCON 2023. Before, he has handled nine games, winning four, losing two, and drawing three but these stats have not impressed many who have watched his side play in these games.

There have been several questions as to when the team will play some good football, win and boss games convincingly, be an attacking threat in games, and have a structure, or pattern to which the team plays but sadly it’s been one question after the other with little or no answers. This trend was getting on the nerves of some football people calling for his immediate dismal but for some unseen powers, he has had his job preserved and intact in the lead-up to a tournament that, the country is looking to end its 42-year trophy drought. The hope is that; he reposes the confidence those unseen hands have in him at the AFCON 2023.

A YOUTHFUL SQUAD.

KOBE, JAPAN – JUNE 10: Jordan Pierre Ayew (4th ) of Ghana celebrates scoring his side’s first goal with his teammates during the international friendly match between Japan and Ghana at Noevir Stadium Kobe on June 10, 2022, in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)

When Chris Hughton named his initial 55-man squad list which was later whittled down to 27 for the AFCON. The notable absence of deputy captain, Thomas Partey was evident. Still, his absence was due to an injury he failed to overcome in time to cut, high flying Greek-based Baba Rahman and Fatawu Issahaku asked to be excused from the squad for varied reasons. A chunk of the players (19) named for the AFCON by coach Hughton are making their inaugural appearance at the tournament. The inclusions of Ernest Nuamah, Inaki Williams, Majeed Ashimeru, Elisha Owusu, Mohammed Kudus, Osman BukarI, and Antoine Semenyo spoke volumes of the depth in quality that the team possessed and could hurt any opponent should they be deployed best to their abilities.

The long absence of a major trophy in the cabinet FA by the BlackStars should spur this current crop of players to hunger more to quench the thirst for the AFCON silverware.

The four-time AFCON Champions will open their account against Cape Verde on January 14, serial AFCON winners, Egypt four days later, and their last of group games against, Mozambique on January 22, 2024.

AFCON 2023

AFCON 2023: Ghana spent $3m – Sports Minister

Published

3 years ago

February 14, 2024

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif has confirmed that the country spent $3 million in the recently ended AFCON tournament in neighboring, Cote D’Ivoire.

Ghana qualified for the continent’s tournament and was housed in Group B, which had, Egypt, Mozambique, and Cape Vere but failed to advance past the group stages in a second competition running.

Ussif announced during his visit to parliament on Wednesday that the initial budget was set at $8.5 million, with $5 million disbursed by the Finance Ministry to cover various expenses such as diems, flights, medicals, equipment, logistics, hospitality, and others.

He however intimated that a total sum of $2 million was unused following the BlackStar’s failure to advance past the group stages.

“Our estimated budget for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was $8,506,450.00 to cater for the team’s pre-tournament and the tournament phases (group stages, 1/16 stage, quarter-final, semi-final, and final),” he stated.

“Out of the $8,506,450.00, $5,071,840.36 was released by the Ministry of Finance of which US$3,070,067.81 was spent on per diems, flight arrangements for the team, medicals, equipment, logistics, and hospitality. This resulted in a surplus of $2,001,772.55, after our exit from the tournament,” he elaborated.

“An amount of US$400,000.00 was received from MTN Ghana. This contributed immensely in complementing the Government’s expenditure towards the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament,” he added.

The Sports Minister is expected to take steps in conjunction with the GFA and other relevant bodies to change the face of dwindling Ghana Football which has received in recent years.

AFCON 2023

AFCON 2023 : Sébastien Haller powers Côte d’Ivoire to victory over Nigeria in finals

Published

3 years ago

February 12, 2024

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

Cote d’Ivoire staged an impressive comeback to win at the expense of Nigeria at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

The Nigerians’ run to the finals saw them topping a group with 7 points, two wins against, the host and Guinea Bissau, and a draw against Equatorial Guinea.

They followed up with wins against Cameroon, Angola, and South Africa in the semi-finals to book a date against the host once again, whom they had earlier beaten in the group stages.

Meanwhile, the host needed a win from Morocco against Zambia to steal themselves back into a competition, they nearly exited the group stages.

The host defeated defending champions, Senegal and carried on with wins against Mali and DR Congo lifting them to the finals.

In the finals, William Troost-Ekong shot Nigeria ahead seven minutes before halftime with a stunning header from nine yards out from a corner.

The energetic Franck Kessie pulled his team on level with a thumping header in the 62nd minute of the game.

Nine minutes to end the match proceedings, the exciting Brighton prospect, Simon Adingra who had his elementary football training at the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana teed up Seb Haller, who cleverly nicked in the second goal to send the home fans into ruptures cheers and jeers.

The host held on to victory, becoming the first country since Egypt in 2006 to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as host nation.

This win also aids them in basking in their third AFCON triumph since their first and second in, 1992,2015.

For Nigeria, they were looking to win the trophy after their last triumph in 2013.

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Troost- Ekong, Ron Williams, Nsue, Adingra win big at AFCON 2023

Published

3 years ago

February 12, 2024

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

The 34^th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations saw Cote d’Ivoire dramatically beat Nigeria with other individuals rewarded for their exploits at the end of the tournament.

Equatorial Guinea captain, Emilio Nsue scooped the top scorer award at the just-ended TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

He emerged as the victor of the award with five goals from four games in the tournament.
The highlight of this feat was his first and only hat trick against host Cotê d’Ivoire at the Alassane Outtara Sports Stadium in Abidjan.

Emilio Nsue with the top goal scorer award

Côte d’Ivoire youngster, Simon Adingra, was also named the Best Young Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

READ MORE: Former Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet interested in Black Stars job
The young sensation had his elementary football training with Ghana’s Right to Dreams Academy was a breath of fresh air in the games that he played. His dazzling skillset, and mazy runs, which was a consistent worry for any oppositions like Senegal, Mali, DR Congo, and Nigeria he played against in the tournament.

Simon Adingra

Emerse Fae picked up the Best Coach of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after historically leading his home nation to an impressive victory on home soil over Nigeria.

READ MORE : AFCON2023: Côte d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra bags Best Young Player of the Tournament award
The former France youth team coach led his country to victory after former coach, Jean-Louis Gasset was relieved from his duties as the side neared elimination.
Fae managed vital wins against, defending champions, Senegal, Mali, and DR Congo and enthrone it with a dramatic winner over Nigeria in the finals.

Emerson Fae

Nigeria captain, William Troost-Ekong’s mouthwatering exemplary leadership skills went unnoticed as he ended the night acknowledged as the Best Player of the Tournament.
His exceptional leadership skills at the back saw him carry Nigeria through the group stages to the finals scoring three goals in seven games.

Troost- Ekong

Bafana Bafana shot-stopper, Ronwen Williams’ heroics in the penalty shoot-out against, Equatorial Guinea and DR Congo him eclipse Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabili for the Ecobank Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

Ronwen Williams (South Africa)

Côte d’Ivoire was the biggest winner of the night as they finished off Nigeria in a three-goal thriller to do the host and win after Egypt in 2026. The win sees them sees them win their third trophy of AFCON since, 1992 and 2015.

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Winners List:

Winner: Cote d’Ivoire
Finalist: Nigeria
Third: South Africa
Fourth: Democratic Republic of Congo
TotalEnergies Best Player: William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)
Puma Golden Boat: Emilio Nsue Lopez
Best Ecobank Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
Fair-Play Air Côte d’Ivoire Team: South Africa

AFCON 2023

AFCON 2023 : Equatorial Guinea captain, Emilio Nsue wins PUMA Golden Boot award

Published

3 years ago

February 12, 2024

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

Equatorial Guinea captain, Emilio Nsue scooped the top scorer award at the just-ended TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The tournament which came to an end on Sunday saw the host Cotê d’Ivoire beat Nigeria in a fiercely contested game at the Alassane Outtara Sports Stadium in Abidjan.

READ MORE : AFCON2023: Côte d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra bags Best Young Player of the Tournament award
Nsue opened his account with the Nzalang Nacional with the tournament’s first and only hatrick Guinea Bissau in the second game of the group stages games.
The forward was however on top of his game yet again with a brace against the host in a thumping 4-0 victory in the last game of the group stages.
Equatorial Guinea was ousted in their round-of-16 tie against Guinea but the captain managed to win the coveted award with five goals followed closely by Angola’s Jacinto Dala with 4 goals.

READ MORE : AFCON 2023 : Côte d’Ivoire boss Emerse Fae wins Best Coach Award
Nsue joins a bandwagon of elite forwards, Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Vincent Aboubakar, and Odion Ighalo, who bagged the trophy some years ago in the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON tournament.