The Black Stars have left Ghanaians born after 1982 very hungry and thirsty for the Africa Cup of Nations trophy. Ghana ever since laying hands on the AFCON trophy in Libya 1982, has gone into hibernation. As a four time winner of the coveted continental trophy, it is surprising to know that Ghana has not planned enough to win the trophy after 39 years.
The Black Stars of Ghana has appeared in the semi finals four times in the last five editions of the Africa Cup of Nations but missed out on the trophy in all the four appearances. The last time Ghana came close to the AFCON trophy was in the 2010 and the 2015 editions. Ghana lost the 2010 edition to record AFCON holders Egypt in the finals in Angola. They were unlucky once again when they met Ivory Coast in the finals of the 2015 edition and lost to their West African neighbours. It is obvious Ghana has not been hungry enough to win an AFCON title because appearing in the semi finals of the AFCON four times in the last five editions with two finals to show for, without winning a single trophy, is not a mark of a country that wants to win a trophy.
Current Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew has admitted that a lot rest on his shoulders as the leader of the national team to win a trophy for the nation. Dede Ayew claimed the captain’s armband from Asamoah Gyan in the 2015 edition with an eye on the trophy but Ivory Coast beat Ghana to it with Dede weeping uncontrollably. Dede Ayew who has no club now after leaving championship side, Swansea City believes he and the entire team have a to do to at least claim a trophy for the nation. “I can’t hide behind the fact that the nation and my colleagues, the Ghana football fans have a lot of hopes in me and believe a lot in me to do something to make sure we qualify for the World Cup and try and bring a trophy home.” Ayew said.
Barring any injury situation for Andre Ayew, he will lead the Black Stars into the 2021 AFCON which will be hosted in Cameroon next year due to the global Corona Virus pandemic. The former Olympique Marseille forward says he is taking the responsibility with a lot of humility and will keep working hard to ensure Ghana wins a trophy under his leadership.“I can’t hide from that so I’m taking it with a lot of humbleness and a lot of responsibilities but I believe that I have grown enough in the game to take that weight and I’m gonna keep working hard and make sure that I make the nation proud.” Dede Ayew told Joy Sports.
The Black Stars cemented their 2021 AFCON qualification after a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mohammed Kudus had opened the scoring for the Black Stars of Ghana in the 49th minute but the Ajax midfielder’s goal was cancelled by South Africa striker, Percy Tau. The stars however made light work of São Tomé with a 3-1 score line to top Group C with 13 points. Ghana will be hoping to break the 39-year trophy drought at the next competition. Ghana has won the AFCON four times in 1963, 1965, 1972 and the last being the 1982 edition in Libya.
