Binewa Team Profile: Black Stars at TotalEnergies AFCON 2023
Team Bio
Preparing its 24th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana is a heavyweight on the continent with memorable appearances.
Four time AFCON winers, Ghana have played the AFCON final a record 5 times, with 5 fourth place finishes. The last being in 2017 when they lost 1-0 to Burkina Faso.
However, glory days for the Black Stars are fast fading.
In 1963, the West African Nation clinched its first title on home soil edging Sudan 3-0 with Charles Akumi Gyamfi as head Coach.
He went ahead to claim the trophy in 1965 and made way for Fred Osman Doudu in 1978. Akumi returned in 1982 to hand Ghana its last AFCON title.
Abedi Pele, father of present day Ayew brothers, Joseph Carr, Willie Klutse, Agyemang Gyua, Kofi Pare, Mohamadu Salisu and Osie Kofi formed that formidable generation of Ghanian footballers.
The years 2008 to 2021 were nightmarish for the Black Stars team plegued by the “near to sucess syndrome”. Within that period, the side played in two AFCON finals and four Semi Finals.
Team’s journey
The road to Cote D’Ivoire 2021 was anything but straight forward for the Ghanians.
Ghana finished top of Group E in the qualifiers on 12 points, followed by Angola on nine, two more than the Central African Republic, who had needed to win on game day 6 to qualify for the first time
It all happened in a nerve wracking final day in group E
The Central African Republic went ahead through stand-in skipper Louis Mafouta as they tried to write history, even without injured captain and Olympique de Marseille midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia.
West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus equalised for Ghana just before halftime and Antoine Semenyo set up the winner when he stripped the visiting defence of the ball and unselfishly passed for the 19-year-old Nuamah to net the winner from close range.
Prior to that, the Black Stars started its qualifications campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Madagascar. A game day 3 victory over Angola slightly put to bed the worries of game day 2, where Ghana shared spoils (1-1) against the Central African Republic. However, subsequent stalemates against Angola and Madagascar on games day 4 and 5, meant a must win against the Central African Republic on game day 6. Despite the scare of trailing in the game, Ghana stroke twice to pick her AFCON ticket.
Qualifications matches
Day 1
Ghana 3–0 Madagascar
Kudus 53′
Afena-Gyan 56′
Bukari 86′
Day 2
Central African Republic 1–1 Ghana
Namnganda 41’/
Kudus 17′
Day 3
Ghana 1–0 Angola
Semenyo 90+6′
Day 4
Angola 1–1 Ghana
João 51′ (pen.)/
Bukari 72′
Day 5
Madagascar 0–0 Ghana
Day 6
Ghana 2–1 Central African Republic
Kudus 43′
Nuamah 88’//
Mafouta 25′
Group standings after 6 game days
Ghana 12 pts
Angola 9 pts
CAR 7 pts
Madagascar 3 pts
Players to watch
A new generation of talented youngsters are on the rise for the Black Stars of Ghana, and that was imminent with Ghana’s showing at the 2022 Qatar World Cup
Mohamed Kudus
Now a Hammer, Mohamed Kudus has gotten off to a blistering start to life in England. He has netted 10 goals in all competitions, since his summer transfer from Ajax. Kudus scored three times in qualifications.
Antoine Semenyo
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has been of great value for his side in the premier league, netting 3 goals and one assist in 13 league games. The 23 year old is comfortable at any position up top. Watch out for Semenyo’s pace and explosiveness.
Afena Gyan
Already a hit in qualifications with his goal against Madagascar on game day 1, Afena Gyan will look to finally show the world he has come of age, two years after he burst into the lamplight with Mourinho’s Roma. Afena, 20, now plays for Cremonese in the Italian Serie B.
Jordan Ayew
Jordan Ayew has stepped up for Crystal Palace since the departure of Wilfred Zaha, and he is slightly utilized more on the wing by Roy Hudson. The 5-million rated striker has scored 19 times in 90 games for the Ghana. Jordan has one of the best goals per game ratio in the current team.
Andre Ayew
Team captain Andre Ayew now, has prolly his last chance to marshal the Black Stars to an unprecedented 5th AFCON triumph. Aged 34, Ayew has already graced Ghana’s kit with over 24 goals in 114 appearances.
Thomas Partey
Arsenal’s Thomas Partey alongside Mohamed Kudus were the two players from Ghana that made the Fifpro team of the year 2023, in the CAF Awards ceremony. Partey needs no introduction and despite his inconsistency with the Gunners this term, the former Atleti man will have the weight of the country on his shoulders to deliver.
Sulemanana
Southampton’s Kamaldeen Sulemana is a tricky customer and will worry defenders that come up against Ghana at the TotalEnergies AFCON 2023. The winger who has provided 3 assists in as many games for Southampton this season, will always bring in some ‘fire’ be it whether he is starting, or from the bench.
Abdul Samed
Abdul Samed is an energetic midfeilder who occupies deep lying positions, picking out short and long range passes. The 23-year-old is pivotal for his club and country, having given a good account for himself at last year’s World Cup. Samed helped his club – Lens qualify for the Europa league this campaign.
Coach
Chris Hughton
Former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton is Ghana’s head coach after Otto Addo vacated the position.
The 64-year-old, whose father was born in Ghana, moved over from his role as technical advisor in which he worked with coach Otto Addo.
Hughton, a defender for Tottenham Hotspur and the Republic of Ireland in his playing days, has former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng as assistant coach.
AFCON games
Ghana’s AFCON curtain raiser is against Cape Verde on January 14. They move on to play Egypt in the repeat of the 2010 AFCON final on Jan. 18, and then, Mozambique, on January 22nd.
