Black Stars assistant coach, Didi Dramani, has cautioned against fixating on winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy, instead advocating for a collective and patient approach as the team prepare for next year’s tournament starting on January 13, 2024.
The Black Stars, who haven’t secured an AFCON title since 1982, enter the upcoming competition with a challenging record, having suffered three defeats in their last four games. Coach Didi Dramani, however, stressed that the focus should not solely be on winning the trophy.
“I’m not sure there is a country that will participate in the AFCON with the expectation of bringing the cup home; that is not the case,” Dramani remarked on Akoma FM.
“Rather, you try to put things together, and the element of success is not only done today or the way you say it.”
The coach highlighted the need for a deliberate, consistent, and patient approach in planning for success.
“We must be deliberate, consistent, and patient in how we calculate things. The fact that you say you want money does not make you rich, nor does saying you want to go and win make you a winner; it is all about projecting elements of success.”
“People believe that success is solely the responsibility of the coach and the players, but the small contributions made by everyone, particularly the fans jubilating and cheering on the team, contribute to the growth of the sport.”
“It is critical that we bond together and share our vision of how we want to see football,” he concluded.
Black Stars will face Mozambique, Cape Verde, and record champions Egypt in the group stage in Ivory Coast.