The Ghanaian national football team, the Black Stars, embarked on a focused training session in Ivory Coast on Wednesday, swiftly immersing themselves in preparations for the impending 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The team, led by Coach Chris Hughton, along with his adept technical staff and a formidable squad comprising 27 players, wasted no time upon their arrival in Abidjan via Air Cote d’Ivoire, the designated airline partner for the prestigious event.
Among the roster of talented players making the journey to Abidjan were Richard Ofori, Joseph Wollacott, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Alidu Seidu, Denis Odoi, Kingsley Schindler, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Nicholas Opoku, and Salisu Mohammed.
The lineup continued with the inclusion of Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Baba Iddrisu, Elisha Owusu, Abdul Samed Salis, Richmond Lamptey, Majeed Ashimeru, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Ransford Yeboah Koningsdoffer, Osman Bukari, Joseph Painstil, Ernest Nuamah, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, and Jonathan Sowah.
As they acclimatized to their surroundings, the Black Stars were scheduled for rigorous training sessions from Thursday through Saturday, gearing up for their inaugural Group B match against Cape Verde on Sunday, January 14.
Coach Chris Hughton and his team were meticulously honing their strategies and fine-tuning the players’ skills to ensure a formidable performance in the highly anticipated tournament.
The commencement of the 2023 AFCON was set for Saturday, January 13, promising a thrilling showcase of football talent from across the continent. The Black Stars, with their diverse and skilled roster, aimed to make a significant impact on the tournament, with eyes set on achieving success in this prestigious competition.
As the countdown to the kickoff continued, the anticipation and excitement within the Black Stars’ camp were palpable, fueled by a shared determination to make their mark on the AFCON stage.