Deputy captain of the Black Stars, Andre Dede Ayew says the team’s mission and motive to win the country’s first AFCON trophy since 1982 is still on course.
Speaking to the media after the team’s training on Thursday, Andre Ayew hinted that the entire players were bent on breaking the 37-year jinx.
“Everybody wants the trophy; the players want the trophy, the country wants it. And I think we are going to everything we can. But the Afcon is far; [from] now to there, there is time.”
“I thank God I have had the opportunity to be at five AFCON so I know how difficult it is to even qualify from the group stage. Each game is going to come one at a time. Now there are even 24 teams so it is even harder than it was before so we have to prepare very well, keep the unity,” he said.
He continued: “I think Ghana, for the past 10-15 years, has always been part of the favourites for the Afcon and it wouldn’t change. There are other three or four countries who are at similar levels to us. They have the same pressure in their country but we need it, we want it and will do everything to get it.”
“Everyone is going to give everything he had in his body to make sure that we go as far as we can go and bring the trophy. If we give everything we have, at the end of it, everything is in the hands of Allah and he will deliver what we deserve to have,” he concluded.
Ghana has not won an AFCON trophy after claiming the title four times, spanning 20 years.
The Black Stars have already secured qualification to the upcoming Cup of Nations to be staged in Egypt, with a game to spare with group leaders Kenya. Ghana will host the Harambee Stars of Kenya on Saturday in a final Group F game at the Accra Sports Stadium.
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