The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have tonight released a statement of apology on their website after coming under fire for another disastrous campaign by senior national team, the Black Stars.
Ghana crashed out of the ongoing AFCON after only managing to pick up two points in their group. A defeat to Cape Verde, a draw against Egypt and a late capitulation against Mozambique meant the Black Stars finished 3rd in the table.
The GFA have been heavily criticised in the local media for their role in this pitiful exit. There have been calls for them to render an unqualified apology to all stakeholders and they have obliged. The statement reads:
The Ghana Football Association extends our sincerest apologies to the good people of Ghana and all stakeholders for the recent disappointing performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023.
We understand the disappointment and frustration that such results can bring to our passionate football-loving nation. Our team’s performance fell short of the high expectations we all share, and we take full responsibility for the disappointment.
Following a meeting of the Executive Council of the Association and Chairmen of the RFAs on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the GFA wishes to assure all stakeholders that the requisite steps are being taken to address the issues at hand, and a thorough review of the team’s strategies, training, compensation, and overall structure is underway.
We value the unwavering support of our stakeholders, and we commit to working tirelessly with you to ensure a stronger and more competitive team. Your loyalty and passion are the driving forces behind our efforts to rebuild and elevate the standard of Ghanaian football.
We appreciate your understanding during this challenging time and remain dedicated to restoring the pride and success we all desire for the Ghana Black Stars. Together, we will emerge stronger and more resilient.
Thank you for your continued support.
It is not clear yet what the next steps are as Ghana football continues to circle the drain
Egypt’s hopes for AFCON glory came to a heartbreaking end as they were eliminated by DR Congo in a nail-biting penalty shootout on Sunday. Mohamed Salah, recovering from a hamstring injury, could only watch from home as his team suffered an 8-7 defeat in the shootout.
Returning to Liverpool last week after the injury sustained in the 2-2 draw against Ghana, Salah aimed to recover in time for the AFCON final. However, Egypt’s dreams were shattered by Congo, with goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal missing a crucial penalty in the epic 8-7 defeat.
In a tension-filled last-16 clash that ended 1-1 in San Pedro, Meschack Elia initially gave DR Congo the lead, only for Mostafa Mohamed to equalise from the penalty spot on the stroke of halftime.
The drama continued in extra time, with Egypt’s left back Mohamed Hamdy receiving a red card. Without Salah, who was sidelined due to injury, The Pharaohs held on defensively, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
Mostafa Mohamed missed from the spot but Arthur Masuaku also followed suit, blasting his penalty over the crossbar. The two sides traded expert penalties before Abou Gabal’s miss set the stage for goalkeeper Mpasi to send Congo through.
Congo now advance to the quarter-finals against Guinea in Abidjan. The disappointment for Egypt was palpable as the dream of AFCON glory slipped away, leaving them to reflect on what might have been.
In a nail-biting match, Mohamed Bayo secured Guinea’s spot in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a last-gasp header from Ibrahim Diakite’s precise cross, stunning the crowd just 22 seconds before the end of regulation time.
The first half witnessed a lacklustre performance, with Bayo’s early shot narrowly missing the target. However, the game came alive in the second half. Nsue missed a golden opportunity shortly after the break, volleying over the bar from a fortuitous rebound.
Guinea thought they had a breakthrough when Mory Konate headed home from a free-kick, but it was correctly ruled offside. Guinea gained a numerical advantage when Federico Bikoro received a red card for a high-footed challenge on Bayo.
The tension heightened during the second half as a VAR review resulted in Equatorial Guinea earning a penalty for a foul by Sekou Sylla on Iban Salvador, but their captain and tournament topscorer, Emilio Nsue, rattled the post with his spot-kick.
Despite being a player up, Guinea struggled to capitalise on the situation. Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono made a comfortable save from Serhou Guirassy’s header in the 82nd minute.
The dramatic conclusion unfolded when Bayo, positioning himself perfectly, headed in the decisive goal at the near post, securing Guinea’s place in the quarter-finals for a showdown against DR Congo.
Ivory Coast’s interim coach, Emerse Fae, has emphasised the team’s commitment ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash against reigning champions Senegal.
Fae, acknowledging their unexpected qualification, expressed, “God has given us a second chance, so now we have an obligation to give our everything.” Following the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset post a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea, Fae, a former teammate of Didier Drogba, stepped in as an emergency appointment.
Reflecting on the challenging days after the defeat, he mentioned, “We needed to let the wounds of the 4-0 defeat heal and then pray that we would qualify.” The Ivorian team faced uncertainty even after qualifying, as attempts to bring in Herve Renard were thwarted.
Fae, undeterred, stated, “I had other things to worry about than whether Peter, Paul, or James was going to come and take my place.” Senegal, despite a flawless group stage, brushed off their achievements, with coach Aliou Cisse noting, “The group stage is finished. A new competition is starting now.”
In the face of adversity, Ivory Coast’s players aim to showcase a different attitude, recognising the significance of their second chance on Monday against Senegal. They would want to give the home fans something to cheer on Monday night.
In the early 2000s, fans with a keen eye on the Premier League may recall Aliou Cisse from his stints at Birmingham and Portsmouth, making 59 league appearances in four seasons.
Fast forward to AFCON 2024, where Ivory Coast and Ghana failed to secure top-two spots in their groups, while Algeria faced a shocking early exit. Amidst the struggles of some tournament favorites, defending champions Senegal have excelled under the steady leadership of manager Aliou Cisse.
With three group games played, eight goals scored, and only one conceded, Senegal remain a formidable force. Cisse’s journey, born in Senegal and developed through the academy system at Lille, had its highlights at Paris Saint-Germain in 1998.
Despite a relatively quiet club career, Cisse captained Senegal during their memorable World Cup debut in 2002, defeating defending champions France. Transitioning to management in 2015, Cisse’s impact on Senegal has been transformative.
Starting as the U23s assistant manager in 2012, he worked with future stars like Sadio Mane, Cheikhou Kouyaté, and Idrissa Gana Gueye. Cisse’s managerial prowess gained global attention during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Senegal showcased significant progress.
A year later, they reached the AFCON final, narrowly losing to Algeria. In 2021, however, Senegal triumphed in a thrilling final against Egypt, marking the pinnacle of Cisse’s nearly decade-long effort.
In AFCON 2024, Senegal stands out with exceptional football, firepower, and the guidance of a dynamic manager. If they secure victory, it would mark three finals and two victories in the last three tournaments, potentially solidifying Aliou Cisse among the greatest international managers.
As Senegal faces Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals on Monday evening, the world eagerly watches the unfolding saga of Aliou Cisse and his swashbuckling Teranga Lions.
