The president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has finally addressed the Black Stars lucklustre 1-1 draw against Niger in the second match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Morocco.
Otto Addo’s men gave up the lead they took through Stade Rennes defender Alidu Seidu when Oumar Sako headed home the equalizer in the 81st minute to pile more misery on the Ghanaians, who had suffered a damaging home defeat to Angola in Kumasi two days earlier.
While paying a visit to the team at their Alisa Hotel base, Kurt Okraku registered his displeasure to the team regarding the disappointing draw with Niger.
“No joke. 1-1 against Niger. Four or five of the players who played in the squad cannot play in my club. That is the truth, but Ghana play 1-1 against Niger. What did we see? We saw Ghana play without energy, without passion and desire. It is not possible like this. The minimum I expect, the minimum Ghana expects, is a team of boys or men who show passion and desire to play for our country,” he said candidly to the twenty-three players present at the team meeting.
The GFA president nevertheless assured them of his undying support despite the outside pressure ahead of the team’s next match on Thursday, October 10.
“I told the coach it is either you guys decide to play for Ghana or decide you will not play, then you will never be selected. I prefer being the man or leader going out to the public to say this is a group of dedicated players who want to play for Ghana. They are not ready, but we will stay with them until they are ready,” he continued.
Former Ghana captain and head coach Kwesi Appiah will lead Sudan to face the Black Stars at 4 p.m. at the Accra Sports Stadium live on Max TV.
