<\/p>\n
By Simon Asare<\/p>\n
Accra, Jan. 2, GNA \u2013 The year 2024 could be one of the most active years for Ghanaian sports as various teams in various sporting disciplines get ready to do battle.<\/p>\n
From the Africa Cup of Nations to the 13th African Games, Ghanaian sporting fans would have a lot to enjoy and could probably bring some excitement, especially after a long period of disappointing outings.<\/p>\n
Africa Cup of Nations, 13 January\u201311 February<\/p>\n
The Black Stars of Ghana would begin another quest to end their 41-year trophy drought at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.<\/p>\n
The tournament, which starts on January13 \u2013 February 11 would see 24 teams battle for the coveted trophy.<\/p>\n
Ghana had a disastrous outing at last year\u2019s AFCON after they were eliminated in the group stages with just one point from three matches.<\/p>\n
The famous defeat to Comoros still lingers in the hearts and minds of Ghanaians, and the Black Stars would have to make amends at this year\u2019s tournament.<\/p>\n
Ghana is in Group B together with last year\u2019s finalists, Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.<\/p>\n
Paris 2024 Qualification (Women\u2019s Football) February 19\u201328<\/p>\n
The Black Queens of Ghana would resume their quest for qualification to the Paris Olympics when they take on African giants Zambia in the third-round qualifiers.<\/p>\n
The Black Queens were excellent in their first and second round qualifiers, eliminating Guinea and Benin respectively.<\/p>\n
Ghana would be aiming to reach the fourth round and be among the two teams to represent Africa at the 2024 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n
African Games, March 8\u201323<\/p>\n
The 13th edition of the African Games scheduled to be hosted in Accra, Ghana would be a 16-day sporting spectacle, with over 3500 athletes across Africa expected to grace the occasion.<\/p>\n
Ghana has cleared doubts about its inability to host the games, and recent infrastructure development testifies to its readiness for the commencement of the games as scheduled.<\/p>\n
Team Ghana would be looking to surpass its 10th-place finish at the 2003 Games in Abuja, having won four gold medals, five silver medals, and 16 bronze medals.<\/p>\n
2026 World Cup qualification June 3\u201311.<\/p>\n
The Black Stars, with their shaky start to the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, would be aiming to put things right in the third and fourth rounds of matches.<\/p>\n
Ghana would play Mali and the Central African Republic in June in their quest to gain a good position in the group, which has the likes of Comoros, Chad, and Madagascar.<\/p>\n
Paris Olympics, 26 July\u201311 August<\/p>\n
Ghana is yet to win an Olympic gold medal since its first participation at the games in 1952.<\/p>\n
With a total of five medals at the Olympics (1 silver and 4 bronze), Paris 2024 offers Ghana an opportunity to improve on its medal rankings.<\/p>\n
Other Tournaments<\/p>\n
The Black Stars would also commence their qualification for the 2025 AFCON in March while they await their opponent.<\/p>\n
The Black Queens, who secured qualification for the 2025 African Women\u2019s Cup of Nations, will feature in the tournament on a yet-to-be announced date.<\/p>\n
GNA<\/p>\n