GFA Boss Chastises Uninspiring Black Stars Players

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku has constructively criticized the playing body of the Black Stars for their underperformance which has reflected on scoreboards in recent outings.

This was during a meeting with 23 of the 25 players called for the third and fourth rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament qualifier against Sudan on Thursday, October 10.
The FA boss observes that the team of players in the current dispensation lacks the dedication, commitment, pride and love that accompanies wearing the white jersey.

Focusing on their last qualifier against Niger at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium which ended in a draw, he asked, “How did you guys feel when you went back home having drawn against Niger. How did you feel? Were you happy? Niger, come on guys. You drew 1-1 against Niger.”

In his observation, “Four {or} five players who played in that game will not play in my club. That is the truth. Ghana later 1-1. We saw a Black Stars team without energy, without passion, without the desire to play. It is not possible like this…The minimum I and Ghana expect is a team of men who will show passion and desire to play for our country, not when you are dribbled and you are seen walking on the pitch and the ball is moving towards your net. That is impossible.”

According to him, the outcome of the game was unacceptable.

“You draw games and lose at Baba Yara after 34 years. It’s not acceptable. It’s no joke. In 1957, Ghana gained independence and that was led by men who had this not men who ran away from the battlefield. That’s the only reason why we gained independence.”

He noted that each player has the choice to declare his stance with the team- either to play for the country or not- for the next line of action.

“I told your coach that it’s either you guys decide to play for Ghana … or decide you will not play you will never be selected. I prefer going to the people and telling them that the dedicated players who will want to play for Ghana they are not ready but we will stay with them until they are ready. I’m prepared to make that statement. But once you depart from your various clubs and put on the shirt naturally, that should give you the pride to fight, to show passion, aggression, and desire to win for your country. What we saw of you in Niger was a complete no. When we draw games and I see players laughing and smiling, it’s not acceptable.”

He further egged the team on to leave a legacy behind for themselves as previous batches of players have done in the past.

“Before Kudus was born, this team existed. This team was represented. Alex before you were born, this team called Black Stars existed. Before you were born, Black Stars existed. In your time, there is Black Stars. What’s the difference? The difference is what you guys do with the opportunity. It’s important for us to remember that we belong to a privileged group.

“Today you are here but tomorrow you will not be here. Someone else will be here. It’s important that we are here to serve millions of people who need our help. Not 25. What do they need from us? Good performances, passion, victory that heal souls, wounds, families. This is what the people outside needs from us.”

Game
The first leg of the qualifier will be hosted by the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, October 10, 2024, while the return leg will be held in Libya on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Ghana are currently third in Group F with just one point from a loss and a draw creating uncertainty around their qualification for the tournament.

The Black Stars lost their opening qualifier by 1-0 to Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and drew 1-1 against Niger in their second game.

Source: opemsuo.com.com/Hajara Fuseini