I knew Black Stars would not perform at 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast - GFA boss Kurt Okraku

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has admitted he anticipated the Black Stars’ disappointing showing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

The senior national team, still smarting from a group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, had hoped to rebound at the continental tournament.

However, under coach Chris Hughton, the Black Stars failed to win any of their three group matches and were eliminated in the first round.

Speaking on Asaase Radio, Okraku said, "To be honest, going into that tournament, I was not expecting something different, and I told people close to me that it would not work for us because I knew the team and knew the happenings, and we exited the competition at the group phase."

Reflecting on the aftermath, he added, "When we came home, there was a need for us to look at what we did, but unfortunately, we started declining as well, and we failed to qualify for the last AFCON."

Despite past setbacks, Okraku praised the Executive Council for their decisive actions, which paved the way for Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

"Ghana spoke after that, and it was very loud, and as a leader, I listened to everybody, and we all agreed that there was a need for a reset and to be honest with ourselves.

"We needed to know what was fundamentally wrong with us and fix it. After listening to the Executive Council, we made the right decisions, and we qualified for the 2026 World Cup," he added.

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