Accra, Ghana – October 9, 2023

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has expressed his frustration with the Black Stars following their disappointing start in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The national team managed to secure only one point from their opening two matches, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Angola and settling for a 1-1 draw against Niger.

These results have left Ghana languishing in third place in Group F and contributed to a significant drop in the FIFA World Rankings, with the team slipping from 64th to 70th.

In a passionate address to the players at their hotel on Tuesday, Okraku did not hold back as he challenged the squad to step up their performance or face potential exclusion from the team. “It is either you are with this family or you are out of this family,” he stated firmly.

He added, “I swear by my life, if you are out of this family, Ghana will never be represented by ten men; it will be 11 on the pitch. Somebody played before you, and it is time for you to play. If you don’t grab the opportunity, somebody is looking for the chance to play.”

The Black Stars are now gearing up for a crucial doubleheader against Sudan, with the first leg scheduled for October 10, followed by the second leg five days later. The team is under pressure to secure maximum points in these matches to revive their AFCON qualification hopes and restore confidence among fans.