Ghana can win AFCON without big stars – George Afriyie

by Staff Reporter

Monday Apr 08, 2019. 09:15

Former vice president of the Ghana Football Association, George Afriyie, says the Black Stars can win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations without some of their “big names”.

Afriyie, who held his position in the GFA during Ghana’s 2015 AFCON campaign which saw them end as runners-up, says they failed to win the tournament in Equatorial Guinea four years ago due to bad luck.

“We came close three times in winning the trophy but we couldn’t. In 2010 and 2015, I was privileged to be at the tournament and the players did their best, but it was unfortunate we couldn’t bring the trophy home,” Afriyie told Metro TV, as quoted by Modern Ghana.

“In 2015, the players were determined to win the trophy and even in their training, you could see that the players were eyeing the ultimate, but luck was not on our side.

“For us to win this year’s tournament, the players must stay focused and work hard.

“Ivory Coast won the 2015 tournament without some of their big names and I think we can do same, but the players must work hard and improve their performance.”

Afriyie’s sentiments are echoed by Kenya FA boss, Nick Mwendwa who said ahead of the Harambee Stars’ last AFCON qualifier against Ghana that the likes of Asamoah Gyan and Andre Dede Ayew should be forgotten.

“The likes of Gyan, Ayew; to me I think the curtain is falling on their international carers, slowly by slowly,” Mwendwa told Angel FM.

“So unless you have some fresh legs, we should be scared. If you are depending on them for AFCON, I’m sorry for you."