GFA takes blame for Black Stars AFCON exit

Thomas Teye Partey of Ghana dejected during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals match between Ghana and Comoros at Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon, on 18 January 2022 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jan 21, 2022. 09:00

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has taken responsibility for the Black Stars dramatic exit from AFCON 2021 as crisis talks over the debacle with governing officials loom this Friday.

The Black Stars made their worst AFCON showing when they failed to win a single preliminary stage game for the first time in Ghana’s history.

This saw the four-time champions exit the Cameroon tournament with 1 point and bottom of Group C.

2021 AFCON GROUP STANDINGS

“It didn’t work. I’m a leader of the family, I take full responsibility but also our collective responsibility to remain calm to support this gallant group of players who have offered themselves to serve our country,” Okraku told Asempa FM.

“They need support so they can grow and win trophies for Ghana.

“For those who were not ready to serve Ghana we cannot force them, of course, these are the players who have dedicated themselves to the national calls and who want to sacrifice even in difficulties and I’m saying this group of players were ready to sacrifice their blood for Ghana.”

READ: Black Stars sent packing by Coelacanths

Ghana has not won the AFCON since 1982 and since then won silver in 1992, 2010 and 2015.

Meanwhile, Okraku and his executive have been summoned for an emergency meeting at the Ghana Sports Ministry.

“The Ministry has summoned the GFA leadership to an emergency meeting scheduled for Friday ,21 January,2022 to urgently discuss and take decisions aimed at salvaging the performance of the Black Stars especially in the next set of games,” an official letter from the Ghana Ministry of Youth and Sports to the GFA read in part.