Ghana Football Association President Simeon-Okraku has congratulated the Black Stars on their 10th successive Africa Cup of Nations qualification – and 24th ticket in history following their come from behind win against Central African Republic on Thursday.
Ghana secured one of the tickets to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire after topping Group E with 12 points from six games.
Ernest Nuamah climbed off the bench to score the match winner as the Black Stars needed to dig deep to overcome a well drilled Central African Republic side that took an early lead at the Baba Yara Sports stadium.
In an emotionally filled post-match engagement with players and officials in the dressing room, President Simeon-Okraku thanked them for taking Ghana to another Africa Cup of Nations tournament and charged them to aim at the ultimate.
He was in the company of Youth and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif (Hon.), Vice President of the Ghana Football Association Mark Addo, Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority, Seth Panwun Boyoyo, Vice Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee Akwasi Agyemang and Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association, Samuel Aboabire.
‘’On behalf of the Ghana Football Association, I want to thank each one of you. From the head coach, the entire technical team, the captain and the rest of the playing body, I thank you. We have made it and it’s a big plus for us’’ he said.
‘’This is not the first time we’ve made it to the AFCON, but we needed to get Ghana there and we are in. Ayekoo!’’.
‘’Some few months ago, we were at the AFCON, it didn’t work and we said to ourselves, we would want another opportunity to make it work. You have made that opportunity come to us so we have an opportunity to go to the AFCON to make it work’’.
‘’Let’s keep that in mind, we have to go to the AFCON and make it work. Today, let’s enjoy it because we’ve made it. Beyond today, let’s start to think and look at the bigger picture’’ President Simeon-Okraku added.
