President Akufo-Addo with some of the Black Stars players
President Akufo-Addo has advised the Black Stars to focus on working as a team in order to win the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament slated for Egypt on Friday, June 21.
The President gave the advice when the players, technical team and members of the management committee of the Black Stars called on him on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at the Jubilee House to bid him farewell ahead of their final training tour in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the 2019 AFCON.
Describing teamwork as “the heart of success in football,” President Akufo-Addo told the team that “you may have all the authority, but if the people working with you are not prepared to back you up with the effort and energy, you will not be able to succeed.”
He further indicated that “helping each other to win the trophy, that’s the teamwork that we are looking at, you are the Black Stars of Ghana. It doesn’t matter where you come from in this country; whether it is in Tamale or Jamestown or Kyebi, Nalerigu or wherever it doesn’t matter; you are the Black Stars of Ghana.”
According to President Akufo-Addo, “It sounds almost unbelievable when we think it has been 37 years since we last won it since from 2008 up to 2017 we hold the record of six consecutive semi-final appearances, which requires that we just need one more step to get over the barrier, and I think we are going to do it.”
The President also urged the playing body to write their own piece of history and ensure that their names are written among the great names of Ghana’s footballing past, who brought honour and glory to the nation.
“I am determined to provide all the support government can give to sustain you, and give you the best opportunity to bring the cup home,” he stressed.
He said, “I have no doubt that you are among the best players on the continent and in the world. So, our slogan, the ‘Year of Return’, that’s the slogan of the year. This, indeed, is the year of return of the AFCON trophy.”
He also assured the Black Stars of the unflinching support of government and the people of Ghana.
The team was accompanied by the Minister of Youth & Sports and other officials, as well as members of the Normalisation Committee (NC) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).