Ghana’s lacklustre performance in a goalless draw against Namibia in a pre-tournament friendly on Monday has left fans concerned just five days before the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The match played at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi and opened to fans for free, ended in disappointment as the Black Stars failed to secure a victory that could boost confidence ahead of the AFCON.
Expectations were high among the fans, who turned up hoping for an impressive display and a convincing win. However, the players fell short of meeting these expectations, leading to some fans expressing their dissatisfaction with boos. Namibia, one of the lower-ranked teams heading into the AFCON, managed to secure a draw, undoubtedly boosting their confidence.
The lacklustre performance against Namibia adds to the concerns surrounding the Black Stars, who have struggled to impress in previous games. Black Stars coach Chris Hughton may be feeling the pressure as doubts arise among Ghanaians.
Despite the optimism surrounding the game, being played at their favoured Baba Yara Stadium, Ghana’s performance on Monday was far from satisfactory. Throughout both halves, the team failed to deliver a compelling performance and did not deserve a victory.
The goalless draw against Namibia marks the fifth occasion under Hughton’s management where the Black Stars have failed to score in a game. With their first match in Ivory Coast against Cape Verde approaching, the Black Stars will need significant improvement in the coming days. The group stage also includes challenging opponents such as Egypt, and Ghana will conclude their group stage campaign against Mozambique.