Black Galaxies captain, Gladson Awako, says the target is to do well at the 2023 African Nations Champions (CHAN) and ensure they put smiles on the faces of Ghanaians.

Ghana is returning to the tournament for the first time since their last appearance in 2014 when they finished as silver-medalist.

Ahead of the start of the competition, Annor Walker’s side has been continuing with their preparation in Algiers after leaving their training camp in Egypt.

Awako, in an interview with the GFA media team, says the team is keen to do well at the CHAN tournament so Ghanaians can forget about the performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“We are all very motivated. The management is treating [well], they make sure whatever we need they are doing it for us and we the players are very motivated because we don’t need any than getting on the field and doing our work and also making the nation proud,” he said.

“This is the motivation that we can give to ourselves – being on the field and getting ourselves ready to showcase what we have.”

He adds that the team is well-composed and awaits their turn to take to the field against Madagascar in their opening game.

“We are calm and relaxed,” he continued.

“We are just waiting for the day to get on the pitch and make sure we make our nation proud and each and everyone out there; make everyone proud and clean all the wrongs that happened and whatever that didn’t go well at the World Cup. We will make sure to put smiles on the faces of Ghanaians.”

The 2023 CHAN tournament will start on January 13 with the Black Galaxies playing their first group game two days later.