Ghana is poised to begin their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a challenging clash against Cape Verde on Sunday night at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
The Black Stars, hungry for a fifth AFCON title, are aiming to overcome recent disappointments on the continental stage, including an unexpected group stage exit in the last edition.
Since George Alhassan led them to victory in 1982, Ghana has struggled to add to their four AFCON titles, facing a setback when they were dramatically eliminated by Comoros in the group stage two years ago.
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Chris Hughton, the current manager of Ghana, has been working diligently since taking over last year to guide the team back on the path to success.
Despite a challenging journey under Hughton’s leadership, with three losses in five games, including a goalless draw with Namibia in preparation for the tournament, Ghana has slipped out of the top 60 in the world rankings on the eve of AFCON.
The upcoming clash against Cape Verde marks the sixth meeting between the two nations, with Ghana holding a record of four wins and one loss in their previous encounters.
The Blue Sharks, despite a disappointing 2-0 loss to Tunisia in their warm-up game, are aware of the pressure on Ghana and aim to play fearlessly in the face of their more stressed opponents.
The game, scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT, promises to be an interesting battle as both teams vie for a strong start in the tournament.
Ghana seeks redemption, while Cape Verde aims to assert itself as a formidable force in this year’s AFCON competition.
The football enthusiasts around the globe eagerly anticipate the outcome of this thrilling showdown between the Black Stars and the surprise package, Cape Verde.