Black Stars skipper Andre Ayew says the Black Stars are no longer the heavyweights they used to be on the continent and it's high time they accepted that ahead of the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ghana will be in Ivory Coast for their 23rd AFCON appearance since the inception of the tournament in 1957. The Black Stars have won the competition on four occasions but have failed to lift it since last doing so in 1982.
Ghana's last appearance in the final of the continental showpiece came in 2015 when they lost on penalties to Ivory Coast. They have also failed to make it out of the group stage in the last two major tournaments.
Ahead of the first game, the side's skipper has asked Ghanaians to accept the reality that the team is far from its best.
"We gave everything we had in the World Cup [in Qatar]. We're working really hard and prepared for Cape Verde," he told the press.
"We used to be favourites but now we're not part of the favourites. We need to accept it and work hard."
Despite the quality of players in Ghana's team, the Black Stars are behind in terms of teams likely to win the 34th edition of the AFCON.
Ayew says that could be an advantage for the team.
"We've seen a lot of teams who were not expected to win the AFCON and they won it. We've seen teams expected to win it," he added,
"AFCON is unpredictable and that's an open door we need to slide in. We will give our best."
Ghana will begin their campaign in Ivory Coast on Sunday, January 14, when they face Cape Verde before subsequently playing Egypt and Mozambique.
Latest Stories
-
MFWA opposes uncontrolled access to live court proceedings for press
17 mins -
Ferry on Oti breaks down leaving drivers and passengers stranded
2 hours -
Fidelity Bank uplifts Abbeykope D/A Basic School with new classrooms and renovations
2 hours -
Nigeria invites bids for 12 new oil blocks, promises fair process
2 hours -
Achieving fair, violence-free elections is a collective responsibility- NCCE
2 hours -
I was too naïve to realize I was just a fling to him
2 hours -
My name is Kate and I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer
3 hours -
Lalue’s last dance, a majestic display of culture, brings curtain down on Prampram Kpledomi
3 hours -
Voter registration: GIS denies allegations of collusion with EC in NDC strongholds
3 hours -
Out-of-pocket health services payment needs immediate attention – Ghana Health Service
4 hours -
Empathise with accident victims – Chairman of the Council of Bureaux, ECOWAS Brown Card tells insurers
4 hours -
‘You can never be settled’ – Bellingham dreaming of more after Champions League comeback
5 hours -
Ghana Stock Exchange reaches record GH¢80bn market capitalisation
5 hours -
Champions League: Real Madrid snatch stunning win over Bayern Munich to reach final
6 hours -
Betterland Ghana Limited commits to sustainable mining in Ghana
6 hours