2023 AFCON: Black Stars of Ghana out to break a 42-year jinx

Different generations of the Black Stars have come and gone but for four decades none has been able to recapture the elusive African Cup of Nations title.

Though the current assemble of players, in comparison with history, is not the best, they carry on their shoulder the faint hopes of over thirty million Ghanaians as they head to Cote ‘d Voire.

Pitted in the group termed the Group of Death, the first ring of battle for the Black Stars will be negotiating it out of a group that comprises perennial winners, Egypt, tricky opponents Cape Verde and a dogged Mozambique team.

Alongside, Egypt, Ghana are tipped to make it out of the group, but knowing Cote d’Voire or Nigeria are most likely going to be waiting for them in the next round already depicts how tough the road to glory will be for the Chris Hughton-led side.

Coach

Chris Hughton has been so confident that his team have what it takes to win the AFCON, and you would not want to disagree with him considering some of the calibre of players in the Black Stars team.

Hughton who was named the Ghana head coach in February 2023 would be appearing in his first competition with Ghana and his first AFCON tournament.

Though the 64-year-old manager is no stranger to competition having managed sides like Newcastle, Birmingham and Norwich in the English Premier League, Hughton will be having his first taste of what the biggest soccer event in Africa is like.

Star Player

Though hasn’t had so many minutes for Arsenal in the ongoing campaign, mostly due to injury, Thomas Partey is arguably one of the few best players in the current Ghana set-up.

Partey’s experience, game acuity and work rate on the pitch makes him one of the most important players in the Ghana team.

Heading to Cote d’Voire, if Ghana is to go ahead and reawake history, a fully fit Partey will be central.

Mohammed Kudus can easily pass for the best and biggest player in Ghana currently – even at his age – with his incredible exploits at West Ham so far in the 2023/24 campaign.

This also follows his trailblazing performance at the 2022 World Cup where the 23-year-old scored two goals and provided one assist to emerge as Ghana’s standout performer at the Mundial.

Leading a three man attack that comprises himself, Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew, defenders at AFCON should be wary of the industry and lethality of Kudus in the box.