The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association.
Ghana,who are currently 53rd in the world according to FIFA, will play at the 2017 AFCON under the management of Israeli coach Avram Grant.Asamoh Gyan is the team’s appointed captain.
History
Black Stars rich AFCON history dates back 1963 when they clinched their first trohpy and went ahead to defend their tittle in 1965 under leadership of coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi.It was at that time when they achieved their record win,13-0 to Harambee Stars.
During the 1965 edition, they demolished Congo-Kinshasa in group phase, 5-2 having come from behind to get the win with Osei Kofi, Ben Acheampong and Jones all hit the net to destroy the value of Kalala’s brace. In their next match, Black Stars punished Cote d’Ivoire 4-1 to reach the final where they defeated Tunisia 3-2 after extra time.
Black Stars also reached the final of 1968 and 1970 Africa Cup of Nations.But misfortune tarnished the adventures losing 1-0 on each occasion having went unbeaten in the group phase and met the Ivoirians in the semis.The defeated the Ivorian in extra time in a 7 goal thriller to book a ticket to the finals where they faced Congo-Kinshasa.A late second half strike by Kalala’s downed Black Stars to the second position in the competition.
Ghanas domination of the tournament earned the country the nickname of “the Brazil of Africa” in the 19 60’s.
Their success did not stop there as it is in the record of the embarrasment they caused to Niger in the two-legged qualifier which took place in September 1969. The tie ended 15-1 on aggregate to the Ghanaians.
In the 1970 African Cup of Nations, they faced Congo-Kinshasa (DR Congo) for yet another time and this time the Black Stars showed their quality thrashing the Congolese 2-0 to make it to the semis where they defeated Cote d’Ivoire in a tournament held in Sudan.
This time again they were not lucky as Sudan condemned Black Stars to a 1-0 loss in the final to the dissapointment of the fans.
It is something that pudits may put it as a effect that made the light of Black Stars go dim.It took Ghana almost a decade to recover missing 1972, 1974 and 1976 AFCON tournaments.
During the 1978 edition the bright light from the Black Stars shone again when they made a sensational return on the African football biggest stage.
With home advantage as hosts , Ghana beat Zambia, Upper Volta, Tunisia before meeting Uganda in the final where they recorded a 1-0 win aganist the East Africans.Their victory made them retain Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem Trophy i perpetuity for having won it three times.
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations in Nigeria’s soil is something Ghana followers will experience pain to remember as Black Stars couldn’t go past the first round. Two years later, however, the Ghanaians claimed Africa’s crown at the expense of runners-up Libya. This triumph, in fact, was the Black Stars’ last AFCON title success up to date.
Black Stars went ahead to put efforts to claim their glory, reaching the quarterfinals in 2000 and 2002, clinching bronze in 2008 and finishing second in 1992, 2010 and 2015.
The current generation of players, made of young blood, certainly has what it takes to send Ghana back on the winners’ podium. With an experience coach and powerful playing unit, Ghana seem this time round will drive away throughout their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Honours
African Cup of Nations: 4
1963, 1965, 1978, 1982
African Cup of Nations runners-up: 5
1968, 1970, 1992, 2010,2015
2017 Afcon qualification
Ghana’s performances in the tournament has been praise for their continuous efforts from various quarters for their ability to push forward and their fearless attitude.
Black Stars are physically even better off than most other nations are, as they have tremendous natural athleticism, and they’ve come on enormously in the areas which were non-existent before, discipline and tactics.
Every team which faced Ghana in the qualifications knew they’d been in a game.
Squad Overview:
Ghana’s squad is built on players based in Europe with as many as twenty five of their 26-man squad plying their trade out of the country.
The Black Stars will undoubtedly be looking to their inspirational captain Asamoah Gyan to lead them out of Group D, which also includes Mali, Egypt and Uganda.
The 32-year-old, formerly of Serie A side Udinese, with whom he stereed to 10 position in the league , but now playing for Dubai outfit Al-Ahli Dubai Aerbin, has 95 caps for Ghana with a return of 48 goals becoming the all time leading scorer fotr the national team.
Player to watch: Andre Ayew
Ayew has the experience, ability and presence to drive Ghana to the knock-out stages of the competition.
Consistency is another key attribute of the 2011 BBC Footballer of the year- always working tirelessly and selflessly for the more creative team-mates yet he also makes and scores goals.
A key player for Ghana since making his debut in 2007, this could be one of his last tournaments as he turns 28 this year. Ayew is a player known to make a difference with both WestHam and Black Stars.
Rising Star: Ebenezer Ofori
He is an entertainning midfielder trusted by coaches in controlling the midfield. Having earned his first national call up the 21 year old is known for his speed upfront will build influence in Grant squad to inspire his team-mates for wins.
Sorely missed: Nuru Sulley
The on form youngster has six appearances for Ghana, but it is the raw potential of the Alanyaspor centre back that makes him vital to the West African nation’s ambitions.
Snubbed by Avrant Grant after impressive performance at club level his dream of playing at his second AFCON were dashed. Born and schooled in Ghana, he was spotted by Maxwell Kanodu to the national team.Nuru leaves a gaping hole in defence.
Ghana’s 2017 AFCON squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Adam Kwarasey (Rosenborg, Norway), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)
Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Andy Yiadom (Barnsley, England), Baba Rahman (Schalke, Germany), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), John Boye, (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jonathan Mensah (Anzhi, Russia), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)
Midfielders : Andre Ayew (West Ham, England), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain) Mubarak Wakaso (Panathinaikos, Greece), Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England), Ebenezer Ofori (AIK Stockholm, Sweden).
Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ahli, UAE), Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland), Bernard Tekpetey (Schalke, Germany),Samuel Tetteh ( Leifering,Austria)
