Nigeria international Alex Iwobi has labelled Ghana’s exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as shameful.
The Black Stars despite high hopes of averting their previous dismal performance at the 2021 AFCON failed to impress once more.
Ghana, despite entering the competition with high hopes of redemption following their lackluster performance in the previous edition, faltered once again. The team, led by a cadre of talented players including Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus, and Jordan Ayew, failed to live up to expectations, ultimately succumbing to early elimination.
Despite the rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria extending beyond football and music as well as the infamous jollof debate, The ex-Arsenal midfielder shared his disappointment with Ghana’s exit.
“There’s a lot of rivalry between us two, there’s a lot of people that I respect in Ghana, so, like I would like them to do well. I have a lot of friends outside the team that are Ghanaians, so it’s like you want them to do well so you can play against them and prove a point in the competition. But it’s a shame, because the way they exited with the sort of players they had was a bit sad to see. And obviously, because we were in the same hotel, we can see how devastated they were,” he said.
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Ghana’s disappointing performance, marked by a loss to Cape Verde and draws against Egypt and Mozambique despite early leads, sparked introspection within the football community. The team’s failure to progress beyond the group stage led to the dissolution of the technical team and prompted calls for a reassessment of their strategies.
Meanwhile, Nigeria, buoyed by Iwobi’s instrumental role, advanced to the final stages of the tournament, further intensifying the historic rivalry between the two nations. Despite the fierce competition on the field, Iwobi emphasized that his primary concern lies with Nigeria’s success.
“My main concern is always going to be about Nigeria. So as long as Nigeria is doing well, I’m not really too concerned about any other nation,” he affirmed.
Following their disappointing campaign, Ghana has appointed a new coach Otto Addo in a bid to revitalise their fortunes on the international stage. With hopes pinned on a fresh approach, the Black Stars aim to bounce back from their recent setbacks and reclaim their status as contenders for AFCON glory.
By Frank-Kamal Acheampong|3Sports|Ghana