President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to Ghanaians to support the senior national team, the Black Stars unwaveringly in the ongoing 2021 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cameroun.
In a televised address ahead of the national team’s opening match against Northern African side, Morocco, President Akufo-Addo entreated the Ghanaian people to shun any form of pessimism about the team’s chances of winning the tournament as that could break their morale but rather support them in their quest to end the 40-year AFCON trophy drought.
The president is of the firmed belief that the national team can regain its position as a force to reckon with in the continent and world football if Ghanaians give them the needed support and thus, urged the public to support the team no matter what.
“To you my fellow Ghanaians, now more than ever is the time to throw our unwavering support behind the team. Yes, I am aware that there are over 30 million coaches in Ghana. However, in this age of social media, we cannot allow any form of pessimism especially in our comments to filter through to the team. We cannot directly or directly afford to break their morale.
In the highs and lows, in the good and bad times, we must show the team that we are Ghanaians and we look out for each other no matter what. We can make the Black Stars a force to reckon with once again in the continent and world football,” he stated.
While wishing the team well on behalf of the nation, President Akufo-Addo charged them to end the country’s 40-year trophyless campaign in the AFCON by winning the trophy.
Even though he acknowledged that winning the tournament will be challenging, the president said he is confident that the team have quality players to match any of the top-notch teams in the tournament and ultimately win the trophy.
He entreated the team to stand united and forge ahead to lift the trophy for the fifth time.
“On the eve of the commencement in Cameroun of the 2021 AFCON tournament, I send best wishes from all Ghanaians to you; the playing, technical and management team of the senior national soccer side, the Black Stars. We are all happy that finally the 2021 AFCON which was postponed last year, is now going to be held, the coronavirus notwithstanding. Like with every other edition of AFCON, the Ghanaian people demand nothing short of ultimate glory from the team.
The pressure to succeed is understandably high because of our status as 4-time winners and also because it’s been 40 long years since we last lifted the trophy. The target for you naturally, is to bring the cup home. The task maybe daunting but it is certainly not insurmountable. I believe that in the current crop of players, we have the talents to match any of the best teams on the continent. The Ghana team is one of the favorites of the tournament because of its sheer quality. Let’s work to bring the predictions to fruition”.
He added “You, the current crop wear the jersey of the Black Stars, the same jersey worn by Ghanaian legends such as Baba Yara, Opoku Nti and Francis Kumi among others. Wear it with pride, wear it with determination, be of one mind and spirit and be united on or off the pitch. You owe it a duty to back and support wholeheartedly your teammates representing the nation on the field. That is how a fifth AFCON trophy for mother Ghana can be achieved”.
The Black Stars will take on Morocco in their opening match at 16:00 GMT at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé.
