AFCON

Black Stars looking to shine bright at Cote d’Ivoire 2023

Published

9 months ago

December 26, 2023

Ghana are in Group B with Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique
The Black Stars will be looking for a fifth continental trophy
Exciting talent raring to go for the Black Stars, including attacking sensation, Mohammed Kudus

Boasting an array of exciting talent, coupled with the invaluable experience of its more seasoned campaigners, next month’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 could possibly be the year the Black Stars shine bright on the continent.

The red-hot Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah certainly stand out when thinking of the exciting talent available for Ghana while the likes of Thomas Partey and the ever-green Andre Ayew will be immense in bringing stability to the squad.

Ghana’s matches in Group B

14 January: Ghana- Cape Verde: 20h00 GMT, Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan
18 January: Egypt – Ghana: 20h00 GMT, Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan
22 January: Mozambique – Ghana: 20h00 GMT, Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium, Abidjan

How Ghana qualified:

Jostled throughout the qualifiers but eventually secured their ticket to Cote d’Ivoire after overcoming the Central African Republic 2-1 on the very last day of the qualifiers to finish top of Group E.

The Black Stars are heading to their 24th CAF Africa Cup of Nations appearance.

Player to watch: Mohammed Kudus

A product of the Right to Dream Academy, Mohammed Kudus is without a doubt one of the key players for Ghana. With 6 goals scored in 15 club matches, the Accra native is preparing to participate in his second CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Dangerous coming in from the wing but can also play as a false 9, Kudus – if not well planned for, will be a problem for defenders in Cote d’Ivoire as he has over the last few years in club football.

The coach: Chris Hughton

Of Irish origin, Chris Hughton was named Ghana coach in February 2023, a few weeks after the Black Stars were eliminated in the first round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

After having managed English teams such as Tottenham, Newcastle and Nottingham, the tactician is preparing for his first CAF Africa Cup of Nations. With Hughton at the helm, Ghana offers a very solid game defensively. In fact, the Black Star concede very few goals. A fan of the 4-3-3, the tactician relies on fast wingers who are quick in attack.

Ghana’s Previous AFCON performances:

1963: Winner
1965: Winner
1968: Finalist
1970: Finalist
1978: Winner
1982: Winner
1992: Finalist
1994: Quarter-finalist
1996: Fourth
2000: Quarter-finalist
2002: Quarter-finalist
2008: Third
2010: Finalist
2012: Fourth
2013: Fourth
2015: Finalist
2017: Fourth
2019: Eighth finalist
2021: 1st round

AFCON

Hurray, Super Eagles back to winning ways!

Published

6 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

What a turn-around! After four previous competitive matches without a win, the Super Eagles have regained their winning mentality after a 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

The win also put the Super Eagles at the top of the Group D after both Libya and Rwanda played 1-1 draw last Thursday.

It is also the biggest win by the Super Eagles since their 2023 6-0 win over Sao Tome & Principe last year September.

Great man Ademola Lookman, he put in two goals straightening the possibility of his emerging as 2024 African Footballer of the Year.

The current title holder, Victor Osimhen proved his mettle coming off the bench in the second half to double Nigeria’s lead after Lookman’s late first half goal.

The Super Eagles will now honour their next fixture against Rwanda on Tuesday with the hope of consolidating their lead.

Benin Republic with no points and a deficit of three goals are rooted at the bottom of the log.

AFCON

‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful!’, Rev Ikpea calls on football fans to rally round Super Eagles

Published

13 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea has called on all Nigerians to rally round and pray for the Super Eagles ahead of Saturday’s Morocco 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo.

Ikpea who is mobilizing support for the Super Eagles ahead of the clash in Uyo said that whatever Benin Republic come with both spiritually and physically in the game, we will surely overcome them.

“In the NFSC we have Christians, Muslims as well as those who believe in traditional worship and we respect the rights of freedom of worship of every member and all Nigerians.

“When we are faced with this kind of crucial game, we call on everyone to pray through their various believes because we foresee that Benin Republic are most likely coming to fall back on ‘black magic’ to enable them perfect a back-to-back victory over our Super Eagles after beating us 2-1 in our last meeting in a World Cup qualifier”

“We cannot underestimate the efficacy of the black magic” Ikpea further stressed, “but we believe that when we come together we can neutralize it’s efficacy.

“This is no time to sleep, we all have to rally round and do our best to support our Super Eagles because they cannot do it alone without the prayers and support of all Nigerians.

“While charging Nigerians to be positive with the team, we at the NFSC have done everything positive to overturn whatever plans they are coming with and we enjoin everyone to toe that path through prayers”.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp is bubbling with training in Uyo, as team Coach Austin Eguavoen, has been working hard to perfect tactics with the boys and ensure the Super Eagles soar on Saturday.

AFCON

Will Super Eagles regain their winning mentality?

Published

15 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10^th September 2023 in Uyo. That was their last qualifying match for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 played in 2024.

Since then, they have played four World Cup qualifying matches without a win despite being the overwhelming favourites at those matches.

A forensic analysis of their World Cup qualifying since that of Qatar 2022 will reveal they had played seven consecutive matches without a win starting from their 1-1 home draw with Cape Verde in Lagos which qualified them for the play off. In the play off with Ghana, the Super Eagles drew the two matches.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they have gone four matches, getting three draws and a loss. The prospect of their getting a straight qualification from the group is doubtful as they have a mountain to climb by winning the remaining six matches, three of which are away duels of which are most likely to be played in South Africa, the home ground of their main rivals.

Zimbabwe and Lesotho play their home matches in South Africa and Nigeria also still have an away duel with Bafana Bafana.

The qualification series of AFCON 2025 presents the Super Eagles a new beginning. Starting from the semi-finals of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, the team has won none of their four competitive matches in regulation time. The players have a date with destiny in Uyo this Saturday to wipe off the sagging image they have had in recent time.

A win will give the team the confidence expected in anticipation for future fixtures.