Sports
I’m angry, frustrated as anybody else-Chris Hughton
Coach of Ghana’s national team the Black Stars, Chris Hughton says he is angry and frustrated about the team’s performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations(AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
Having failed to win a game at the group stages with a defeat and two draws, the coach said, it was not the kind of result they expected.
“Just like everyone else, I am angry and frustrated. We came into a tournament to do well but unfortunately, we did not get the right results,” he said at a press conference after Ghana’s 2-2 draw with Mozambique on Monday.
“We have a group of players that want to do well at the competition but unable to avoid certain mistakes in order to get the right results,” he stated.
He added that, Ghana conceded two goals in each of the three matches with most of them being individual errors which must be corrected in future.
“We have conceded goals and have not put ourselves in positions where we could score more goals. The energy levels were not at high as the Egypt game and did not expect to concede the way we did,” he stressed.
“We put ourselves in positions where we have to score three goals in each game. We continued to make fundamental mistakes and not able to see games through,” he added.
However, he said, he would take full responsibility of the results as a coach since he was the head of the team.
He also admitted that,they did not perform well in all three games at the competition.
Ghana needed a win to advance to the next stage of the 2023 AFCON but gave away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Mozambique in their final group game of the competition.
The result left a bitter taste in the mouths of the hundreds of Ghanaian supporters who trooped to Ivory Coast to cheer the Black Stars.
That included a team of over 160 supporters sponsored by MTN to Abidjan to support the national team.
The disappointed fans would depart Abidjan Tuesday morning to Accra, hoping that there would be victories for Ghana in subsequent competitions.
From Michael D. Abayateye, Abidjan
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
