The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has issued an apology to Ghanaians for the Black Stars’ subpar performance at the AFCON 2023 tournament.
The statement was released after an Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, with the GFA acknowledging that the team’s display was unsatisfactory and fell short of the high expectations of Ghanaians.
Black Stars had a tough run, failing to secure a win. They lost 2-1 to Cape Verde in the opening game, managed a 2-2 draw against Egypt, and faced another draw against Mozambique in a must-win match. Despite initially holding a two-goal lead, Ghana couldn’t maintain it, and in the final six minutes, Mozambique levelled the score, leading to Ghana’s elimination from the tournament.
“The Ghana Football Association extends our sincerest apologies to the good people of Ghana and all stakeholders for the recent disappointing performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023,” the statement read.
The GFA emphasised that it understands the frustration and disappointment that such results can bring to the country’s fervent football fans. The organisation took full responsibility for the team’s lacklustre performance and guaranteed that measures were being taken to address the issues.
“We understand the disappointment and frustration that such results can bring to our passionate football-loving nation. Our team’s performance fell short of the high expectations we all share, and we take full responsibility for the disappointment,” the statement continued.
The GFA assured stakeholders that a comprehensive review of the team’s strategies, training, compensation, and overall structure is currently underway. The organization stressed that it values the unwavering support of its stakeholders and is committed to collaborating with them to create a stronger and more competitive team.
“We value the unwavering support of our stakeholders, and we commit to working tirelessly with you to ensure a stronger and more competitive team. Your loyalty and passion are the driving forces behind our efforts to rebuild and elevate the standard of Ghanaian football,” the statement read.
The GFA expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their continued support and vowed to work diligently to restore the pride and success associated with the Black Stars.
“We appreciate your understanding during this challenging time and remain dedicated to restoring the pride and success we all desire for the Ghana Black Stars. Together, we will emerge stronger and more resilient,” the statement concluded.
The apology from the GFA has been met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming the move while others feeling that it is too little, too late.
I speak for all Ghanaians when I say we are not reading that and even if some read, we are not taking it
— Beno SarkCess (@BenopaOnyx1) January 30, 2024
They said the window for apologies closed five days after our elimination o https://t.co/GaMS8bQnlk
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) January 30, 2024
If you had any respect for us this apology would have been made first thing in the morning last week Tuesday. Please take your AI generated apologies and get out https://t.co/G8BhtONWhL
— Claudia Boachieπ¬π (@ClaudiaBoachie) January 30, 2024
This shameful apology is as a result of pressure from @SaddickAdams https://t.co/jMp2dO0Asn
— π²ππππππ π«ππ ππ¬ππ―π²πΉ (@Kwaku_Kenny1) January 30, 2024
30th January. Youβre apologizing more than a week after that disgrace of a performance???? https://t.co/11u0Xs6wNR
— Adom (@OcranKA) January 30, 2024
Nonetheless, the GFA’s willingness to acknowledge its shortcomings and commit to improvement is a positive step towards rebuilding the team’s reputation and performance.