Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, has delivered a no-nonsense message to the Black Stars players, urging them to step up their performances as the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign hangs in the balance.
After a disappointing start to the qualifiers — a 1-0 home defeat to Angola followed by a 1-1 draw against Niger — the Black Stars find themselves third in Group F with only one point from two matches. With crucial back-to-back fixtures against Sudan approaching, Okraku expressed his frustration with the team’s lack of passion and urgency on the pitch.
In a fiery address to the squad on October 8, Okraku made it clear that the current level of commitment was unacceptable. He emphasized that wearing the national jersey should be a source of pride, and demanded that the players show more determination and desire to fight for Ghana.
“The minimum I expect, the minimum Ghana expects, is a team of boys or men who will show passion and desire to play for our country,” Okraku said, clearly upset by what he perceived as a lack of intensity.
He further expressed his displeasure with moments of poor defensive effort, adding, “Not when you are dribbled and you will be seen walking on the pitch and the ball is heading towards your net. That is impossible, I told the coach.”
Okraku reminded the players that their selection to the national team is contingent upon their willingness to give their all for Ghana. “It’s either you guys decide to die for Ghana… or decide you will not, then you’ll never be selected,” he warned.
The Black Stars will need to show significant improvement when they face Sudan on October 10 at the Accra Sports Stadium, followed by the return fixture on October 15 in Libya, as they aim to revive their AFCON qualification hopes for the tournament in Morocco.
