Audio By Carbonatix
Since Ghana's last Africa Cup of Nations success, every Black Stars team have something to prove to the nation, says midfielder Derek Boateng on the eve of another Cup campaign.
The nation has endured a long wait since 1982 but the Black Stars have recently come very close, always making it to the semi-finals in the last three editions of the continent's flagship competition.
Ghana picked up bronze in 2008, were silver medalist two years after and finished fourth at the 2012 competition. The frustration continues to linger on for a nation used to just success but Boateng says they are not giving up.
“To be honest, when it comes to our nation, we are not tired,” Boateng told www.ghanafa.org.
“We are always ready for the nation. We want to win something and this is the time for us to do something for the nation and for ourselves.”
As the 2013 finals gets underway in South Africa this weekend, Boateng and his latest band of Black Stars players know what is expected of them back home. To win the title.
“We want to write our names in the history books and we know we have to work really hard. Nothing good comes easy.
“It’s going to be a long way but all the same, we are ready. We’ve been training hard.”
The quest for a fifth Nations Cup title begins on Sunday for Ghana who take on DR Congo in Group B.
“We are looking forward to the game,” the midfielder said.
“We have only one thing, to win the game. We want to take one game at a time; it is going to be a long way, it is going to be a difficult tournament but we are ready.
“We’ve been working really hard from Abu Dhabi up to here, so we are looking forward to the game on Sunday.”
Boateng is one of the most experienced members of the squad, having started his Nations Cup campaign in 2002.
Though he counts himself very privileged to be part of the Black Stars and enjoying the healthy competition in the squad, Boateng hopes for some luck to smile at Ghana.
“There is very strong motivation in camp and discipline. Everything is moving well and there’s competition in training,” he said.
“Everybody wants to be in the first eleven, that’s very good. I like competition. Everything you do in life, you need luck and I know God is on side, we are going to do our best on Sunday.”
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Oil back above $100 as US to blockade Iranian ports after peace talks fail
16 minutes -
Viktor Orbán’s Hungarian experiment runs out of steam
25 minutes -
US to blockade Iran after talks fail to yield a deal
35 minutes -
Trump attacks Pope Leo, calling him ‘weak’ on crime and ‘terrible’
55 minutes -
UK will not join Trump’s blockade of Iran’s ports in the Strait of Hormuz
1 hour -
Pope prioritises world’s fastest-growing Catholic region in major Africa tour
1 hour -
UK shelves Chagos deal after Trump opposition
4 hours -
McIlroy proves he really is free by defending Masters title
5 hours -
Orbán era swept away by PĂ©ter Magyar’s Hungary election landslide
5 hours -
Trump’s blockade threat raises risks and leaves predicaments unchanged
5 hours -
At least 30 feared dead in crush at Haitian tourist site
5 hours -
Four arrested over murder of Scottish businessman in Kenya
5 hours -
New Mainoo deal closer, says Man Utd boss Carrick
5 hours -
Sinner beats Alcaraz to return to world top spot
6 hours -
An inappropriate joke nearly ended his career. Now he’s back with more humour
6 hours