CNA Special AFCON2023: 41 years of trophy drought, time for Ghana to regain glory?

By Arrey Egbe

Four-time AFCON winners Ghana, will be making their 24th appearance in the competition in Ivory Coast next year.

The Black Stars sealed their qualification for the AFCON 2023 after edging Central African Republic (CAR) 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Ghana finished top of Group E with 12 points, followed by Angola, who secured their place with a goalless draw against Madagascar, earning 9 points. CAR failed to book a spot with 7 points and remained in the ranks of teams yet to make their AFCON debut. Meanwhile, Madagascar followed with 3 points.

AFCON stats

Named the Black Stars after the Black Star of Africa in the flag of Ghana, they made their AFCON debut in 1963 where they won back-to-back gold medals (1963 and 1965).

They reached the final of the competition in 1968 and 1970, losing 1–0 on both occasions, to DR Congo in 1968 and Sudan in 1970. However, the Black Stars failed to qualify for 3 consecutive AFCONs in the 1970s (1972,1974,1976).

They resurfaced at the 1982 AFCON hosted by Libya, made it to the finals and defeated Libya 7-6 on penalty kicks after regular 1-1 match time to win their fourth and to date, last continental title.

The Black stars of Ghana are four-time champions of the Africa Cup of Nations – in 1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982, behind Cameroon with five titles, and Egypt eight-time winners.

Players to watch out for

Iñaki Williams

Williams has spent his whole career at Bilbao, tallying 356 appearances and scoring 79 goals. Although the striker represented Spain at the youth level, he committed his senior national career to Ghana. He recorded his first appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The 29-year-old striker is widely known for playing 200 consecutive games in LaLiga for Athletic Bilbao without getting injured.

Williams has been on a blistering form having scored 7 goals, 3 assist in 25 games for Athletic Bilbao this season. His attacking experience will be a big plus for Ghana at the 2023 AFCON.

Mohamed Kudus

The 23 year-old who played for Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie before making a move to the English Premier League to join West Ham is an attacking midfielder.

Due to his attacking prowess and ability to influence the course of the game, he has been able to seal 3 goals, 1 assist in 12 matches this season. He will be making his first AFCON appearance in Côté d’Ivoire.

AFCON 2023 pairings

Four-time winners Ghana will look to clinch their first title since 1982 when they begin the AFCON 2024 tournament. However, they are placed in Group B, where they will face Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

Egypt are seven-time winners who will be looking to win their first title since 2010, the Blue Sharks of Cape Verd are participating for their fourth time hoping to get their first gold medal. While the Mambas of Mozambique will be making their 5th appearance at the 2023 AFCON.