Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has issued a stern warning to Black Stars players, expressing his disappointment over their lackluster performances in the opening matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The team suffered a defeat to Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium and drew 1-1 against Niger in Morocco, leaving them with just one point from two games and sitting third in Group F.
Okraku, visibly frustrated, visited the team’s camp on Tuesday, October 8, ahead of their crucial doubleheader against Sudan this month. He urged the players to show more passion and commitment to avoid repeating the mistakes from their previous matches.
“The minimum I expect, and the minimum Ghana expects, is a team of players who will show passion and desire to represent our country. Not when you are dribbled, and then seen walking on the pitch while the ball heads toward your net. That’s unacceptable,” Okraku stated. “I told the coach, it’s either you guys decide to die for Ghana or you will not, and if you don’t, you’ll never be selected again.”
He reminded the players of the pride that comes with wearing the national team jersey and the importance of playing with heart and determination. “When you come here and put on the shirt, that alone should give you the pride to fight, to show passion, aggression, and the desire to win,” he added.
The Black Stars are set to face Sudan in a vital match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, October 10, before traveling to Libya for the return fixture on October 15.
