Black Stars captain Andre Dede Morgan Ayew has assured Ghanaians that they are ready to make history in the tournament despite the formidable nature of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Andre Dede Ayew also described the AFCON as the most demanding tournament to compete in worldwide, while also ranking the African competition ahead of the FIFA World Cup in terms of the intensity to win.
The Le Havre star shared these insights at a farewell dinner that had many dignitaries in attendance, including the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif, and Ghana Football Association President, Mr. Edwin Kurt Okraku, among others on Friday night.
“This tournament is even harder than the World Cup. We know that it is the hardest tournament, for me, in the world when it comes to fighting, determination, and energy. So the only way we can do this is by being together and being united, and for that, Your Excellency, I can assure you that we are united and we want to do it.”
The former West Ham United and Swansea City forward is hoping to become the first player to score a goal in seven editions of AFCON. Additionally, he aspires to become the third player to appear in all eight editions of the competition, which was introduced in 1957 as a three-team event and has since grown to be a 24-nation showcase. The 34-year-old is currently Ghana’s most capped footballer in history and has 23 goals to go along with his 115 appearances for the nation. With 10 goals, he is Ghana’s all-time leading scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Also speaking at the event, President Akufo-Addo claimed that it is possible for the team to accomplish the long-awaited dream of bringing home the trophy.
His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo added that the Black Stars’ quest to end its 42-year trophy drought might be intractable, but it is possible.
“We have to go a step further than the second places recorded in 1968, 1970, 1992, 2010, and 2015 and bring the 42-year drought to an end. The task might appear daunting, but it is possible,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The President acknowledged the quality of the opposing teams in Group B, including Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique, but expressed his confidence in the Black Stars.
“Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique are teams we have beaten before, and I am confident we will emerge from the group. There will be no repeat of the events of AFCON 2022 – know very well that you have the support of Ghanaians,” President Akufo-Addo assured the team.
Despite winning four AFCON titles, Ghana hasn’t won the continental championship since 1982 and heads into the competition as one of the underdogs after crashing out of the 2021 AFCON with just a point in the group stages.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Pius Asack|Ghana
