Ghanaian footballer, Mohammed Kudus who plays as an attacking midfielder or a right winger for Premier League club West Ham United and the Ghana national team has expressed his deep regret for Black Stars disastrous performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament at IvoryCoast.
According to him, falling short in the AFCON campaign is a hard reality the players and the entire nation are facing but as a playing body, they (players) take full responsibility.
Ghana exited in the 2023 AFCON after securing two points in three games.
In their first game, Ghana suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde and secured a 2-2 draw during their second match between Egypt at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Ghana needed a win to qualify from group-stage but their last game against Mozambique at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast today, January 22, 2024 ended with a 2-2 draw.
Reacting to the Black Stars exit in group-stage, the 23-year-old stated that the only source of pride, joy and unity in these difficult times for Ghanaians was the victories of the Black Stars but they couldn’t give their fans the expectations. Hence, the apology.
“To the heart and soul of Ghana, our incedible fans. In these difficult times where our only source of pride, Joy and unity are our victories, we stand in solidarity with your dissapointment for not living up to Ghana’s name in the history of football. Falling short at AFCON23 is a hard reality we face together but as a playing body, we take full responsibility. We deeply regret not meeting hopes this time. Your enduring support in our motivation to strive in commitment to making you proud in the future” He wrote in his X account.
Meanwhile, some players of the Ghana national team, Black Stars such as Alexander Djiku, Joseph Paintsil, Majeed Ashimeru, Mohammed Salisu and others have also apologized to Ghanaians.
As a result of their disastrous performance in the AFCON tournament, the former Black Stars coach, Chris Hughton has been sacked by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has since formed a 5-member committee to search for a new coach for the Black Stars.
The committee is chaired by Vice President of the GFA Mark Addo, other members are: legal practitioner and law lecturer Ace Ankomah (Esq.), Director of Coaching Education of the GFA Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Ghana football legend Opoku Nti, and William Caesar Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The GFA stated that the next coach should be someone who has the following qualifications:
1.The potential Head Coach should be a proven winner in coaching Top Men’s National Team or Club Football
2.Must have a football philosophy that aligns or compliments our DNA
3.Must hold the highest football license in the world with over 15 years coaching experience
4.Proven track record in team reconstruction, organization and development of young talent
5.Proven disciplinarian, tactician and leadership skills
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
