The President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reposed confidence in the Black Stars to stand on their feet again and make Ghana proud.
The President, delivering his last State of the Nation Address on Tuesday at Parliament, objurgated the abysmal performance of the Black Stars in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which ended on Sunday, February 11, 2024 and saw Ivory Coast crowned winners.
The Black Stars took an early exit from the tournament after failing to secure adequate points to progress to the next stages.
Addressing the August House, President Akufo-Addo said; “Throughout the years, the national team, the Black Stars, has held a special place in the affection of Ghanaians. They lifted up our spirits, as they dominated Africa, and won four (4) continental trophies. They have, at other times, broken our hearts. But it was not until 2006 that the Black Stars finally broke through to the world stage, when they qualified for the World Cup for first time. You would remember that we rose up as one in our support and they did not disappoint. Then came the spectacular South Africa 2010 World Cup and its drama, when we almost became the first African side to reach the semifinals of the World Cup.”
“It is fair to say that, since the sad events of Brazil 2014, many Ghanaians have been left disappointed by some of the recent results of the Black Stars. Various attempts have made to revive the fortunes of the national team, and rebuild the enthusiasm of the people with varying degrees of success. The recent AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire was probably the nadir of the performance of the Black Stars, and has left the nation saddened,” he added.
Despite these setbacks, the President is optimistic of the Black Stars’ triumph in the offing.
“I believe it is time for us to take a long-term, far-sighted approach to correct what has gone wrong. It is time to return to scouting, grooming and developing talent at the district grassroots level under a Presidential Policy on Football that I intend to unveil . . . I have no doubt at all that the Black Stars will rise and make us proud again,” he asserted.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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