President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has expressed his deep disappointment after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Finishing at the bottom of Group F with just three points from six matches, Ghana’s elimination marks a significant setback for the national team.
Okraku shared his thoughts on Facebook, reflecting on the sharp contrast between the Black Stars’ recent successes and their current failure.
“From the highest heights of world football on the 29th of March 2022 to the lowest ebb of AFCON qualifying matches. My heart bleeds,” Okraku began, referring to Ghana’s qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a moment of pride, now overshadowed by their inability to secure a spot in AFCON 2025.
He acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans and stakeholders, recognizing that the team’s current performance falls far short of expectations.
“Definitely, this is not what we want or what we bargained for,” he wrote. “At this point, only cool heads can win, and we as leaders of our sport will stay together, be honest with ourselves, and fix this problem.”
Okraku described the road to recovery as a challenging one, but expressed optimism for the future.
“The road to full recovery after normalization is definitely bumpy and rough, but our collective efforts and patience will win, and Ghana, our beloved country, will win,” he said.
As both a fan and leader, Okraku empathized with the nation’s frustration.
“As a Black Stars fan and as the leader, I share in your pain and in our pain,” he wrote, reiterating his commitment to guiding the team through this difficult period.
Despite the setback, Okraku remained hopeful that the Black Stars will emerge stronger in the future.
“We will rise from this temporary setback. It shall be well,” he concluded.
Ghana’s failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 represents a historic low for the nation’s football, attracting widespread criticism of both the team’s performance and the GFA leadership.
Okraku’s call for unity and introspection signals a potential turning point for the sport in Ghana.
In response to the disappointing result, the GFA’s Executive Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss the way forward.
Source: Adomonline