Despite the Black Stars’ recent decline at major tournaments and their trophy drought of over four decades, Henry Asante Twum, the Director of Communication for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), remains optimistic about their chances in the 2023 AFCON.
Expressing his confidence in the team, which has been described as depleted by some football fans in Ghana, Henry boldly proclaimed that the Black Stars would emerge victorious in the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Cote d’Ivoire.
During an interview on GHOne TV with Lantam Papanko on Thursday, Mr Asante emphasized that national teams often defy expectations and deliver remarkable performances when all hope seems lost.
“Anytime I speak to issues about our goal people say it is laughable. But in 2012 when Zambia were coming to the AFCON nobody thought they would make an impact or to win the tournament. When Nigeria was going to South Africa for AFCON nobody, 99 percent of Nigerians had no belief and trust in the team but they won the AFCON.
“When Ivory Coast beat us in the 2015 AFCON final in Equatorial Guinea the whole nation did not believe they could do it. Because before they departed Ivory Coast to Equatorial Guinea the team had a lot of issues. There were no unity, player issues here and there. But when they came to the tournament the players psyched themselves and the coach did a good job. They went all the way to the final and beat Ghana on penalties,” Mr. Asante narrated.
He continued: “We believe we’ve got one of the best materials on the continent. We believe we have a good manager in place even though he doesn’t have AFCON experience. With these players, we can do anything in the competition.”
The GFA Director of Communications further stated that the ultimate aim of the senior national team is to win the 2023 AFCON.
“So our goal is to go to Cote d’Ivoire and win every game to be able to lift the trophy. It will not be easy and the African game has come of age and a lot of teams have improved over the period. But we know it is possible,” he added.
