The Ghana national football team is set to kick off their Africa Cup of Nations 2023 (AFCON) campaign in Ivory Coast. As one of the continent’s football powerhouses, Ghana’s Black Stars are hoping to secure gold for the fifth time.
Chris Hughton will lead the Black Stars into the tournament. The well-travelled manager took charge of the national team in 2023. In Hughton’s first 10 matches, he posted a record of 4W-3D-3L. It wasn’t a great record to begin life as Black Stars manager, but it provided him with a foundation to build upon. Football fans are debating which team will win this year’s AFCON tournament. Ghanaian football fans can explore betting sites with aviator before wagering on the team they believe will win the competition.
Leading sportsbooks have Ghana a odds of 15.00 to win the tournament. Although the Black Stars are four-time winners of the AFCON tournament, they haven’t lifted the trophy since 1982. Since last winning the AFCON, Ghana’s best finish was in 1992, when the national team came second. Despite having some of the best players on the African continent, Ghana has showcased an inability to win the biggest prize in international football in Africa. One of the players that regularly pulled on the Ghana shirt was Asamoah Gyan. Gyan is the Black Stars’ all-time leading goalscorer with 51 goals.
Gyan consistently showcased his goal-scoring ability throughout his international career.. His contributions on the international stage earned him widespread recognition and admiration. Now, it is time for a new generation of Ghana national team players to step up and provide the country with the goals Gyan once did.
The team’s blend of seasoned veterans and emerging stars should provide Hughton with a formidable squad capable of navigating the challenges of the tournament. Ghana has been drawn into a tough group alongside formidable opponents, setting the stage for thrilling encounters right from the group stage.
The team’s opening match, filled with anticipation and national pride, will be a crucial test as they face off against fellow African heavyweights. AFCON record winners, Egypt, will play in Group B alongside Ghana. The two powerhouses will meet on matchday No. 2 in the group. In addition, Ghana will be joined by Cape Verde and Mozambique in the group.
Key players such as Andre Ayew, captain of the team, and Thomas Partey, the midfield maestro plying his trade for Premier League club Arsenal, will be pivotal in Ghana’s pursuit of AFCON glory. Hughton also called up West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew, and Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams. On paper, Ghana has one of the best squads available.
The Black Stars did not have the strongest end to 2023 and beginning of 2024. They lost three of their last four matches of 2023, falling to Mexico, the United States, and Comoros. Their lone win during that time was against Madagascar. In the lead-up to the AFCON tournament, Ghana drew 1-1 with Namibia. The Black Stars will face much more difficult competition than Namibia in the AFCON group stage.