Some Sports Journalists have been sharing their expectations on the AFCON, as the Black Stars of Ghana today play their opening match against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the ongoing AFCON 2021 at 4:00 PM.
“On the whole, I expect Ghana, against Morocco, expecting nothing but a winner. A slender 1 goal over 2 will be okay. Possibly Jordan Ayew gets the goal and that will kick us on. So we will definitely make it out of the group stages but at the round of 16 that is where things must get best.”
”We don’t have that much public interest for the Afcon itself, not alone the black stars, will this in any way affect morale that goes with Afcon?”
”The team is not doing well but everybody loves a winner so with the wins Ghanaians get the team and hopefully that helps the team to perform.”
”I don’t know if Ghana will make it to the final but I think we will make it to the last four.”
”I am just expecting the best from my players and they will do well and put God first in everything they do and finally we will win and bring the Cup home.”
”Beating Morocco will be one of the hurdles we will cross, we will definitely cross Morocco. Within the Globe, we will qualify within the group, we will be part of those who will qualify within the group.
My expectation is, I see good coming out, we will definitely come back in the first round if only they don’t play as a team. If they play as a team fine, but if they want to do their individual brilliance then we will come back early.”
”Well, I expect the Black Stars to get to at least the quarter final.”
”I have lost hope, I don’t see anything good coming out of the tournament”.
”Africa is known for talent, this one will not be an exception.”
President Akufo Addo boost morale of players:
President Akufo-Addo has charged the Black Stars to go a step further from second place in 1992, 2010 and 2015 and bring the cup home this time round.
The President sending his best wishes to management, technical team and playing body, said the task of ending the 40-year trophy drought though daunting, is surmountable given the talent that abounds within the Ghanaian team.
He asked the players to wear the national team jersey with pride and determination and be united in mind and spirit as was exhibited by their forebears.
Black Stars Head Coach Milovan Rajevac:
Meanwhile, Black Stars Head Coach Milovan Rajevac has dispelled the growing concern of Ghanaians over the recent injury of midfielder Kudus Mohammed ahead of the AFCON opener on Monday.
According to GBC’s Special Correspondent Michael Okuley in Yaoundé, the Ajax Midfielder picked up a hip injury in his last appearance for Ghana when Black Stars played against South Africa in the Qatar 2022 World Cup which forced the player out of the team during their preparation in Doha.
The Serbian tactician has alleviated the fears by revealing the availability of the Midfield enforcer to participate in the tournament.
Black Stars Captain Andrew Ayew:
Captain of the Senior National Team, the Black Stars, Andrew Ayew is blaming mother luck for Ghana’s inability to win the Africa Cup of Nations in recent years.
According to GBC’s Special Correspondent Michael Okuley, Yaoundé, in the opening press conference held on Sunday ahead of the clash, skipper Andre Ayew believes Ghana’s effort in previous competitions has not been rewarded with a trophy due to luck.
“We have been in the finals a few times in the last 10 to 15 years which I think we deserve to have won but luck eluded us. We need to keep working without giving up hope and one day it will be our turn but only with hard work.”
