Kurt Okraku, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has made a passionate plea to fans, urging them to refrain from abusing players during difficult times, particularly when the Black Stars face setbacks.
Following the Black Stars’ disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, where they were eliminated in the group stage, several players, including Mohammed Salisu, faced intense criticism. Salisu even expressed frustration by suggesting physical confrontation with journalists after a disappointing draw against Mozambique.
Addressing the media at the Ghana Football Association’s meet the press event in Kumasi, Kurt Okraku emphasized the detrimental effects of excessive criticism on player morale and team cohesion.
“If we excessively criticize our players when things go wrong, we risk undermining their confidence and commitment. That is why I’ve consistently emphasized the importance of supporting our players, both in good times and bad,” Okraku stated.
He stressed the need for fans to trust the technical team to make crucial decisions regarding player selection and team strategy, highlighting the expertise and judgment of the coaching staff.
“Let’s leave those decisive but important decisions to the technical team to handle.”
Ghana’s disappointing campaign at the 2023 AFCON saw them finish third in
a group featuring Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique. Despite efforts to salvage the tournament, the Black Stars suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde and consecutive 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique, sealing their premature exit.
This marked the second consecutive tournament where Ghana failed to progress beyond the group stage, extending the nation’s AFCON title drought to 42 years.
