President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has revealed that the Black Stars’ disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations did not come as a surprise to him.

Speaking in an interview on Asaase Radio, Kurt Okraku admitted he had low expectations heading into the tournament, citing internal issues within the team prior to the competition.

Ghana endured a torrid campaign at the 2023 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, exiting at the group stage for the second consecutive time.

The Black Stars managed just two points from three matches, failing to secure a single win in the competition.

“We qualified for the AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire, and it was a disaster; it didn't go well, and I was very livid about the turnout of the events because I saw everything unfold right before my eyes."

“To be honest with you, going into that competition, I was not expecting anything different. For those of my guys who were close to me, I was very clear to them in private that it wouldn’t work. I knew the team and I knew about the happenings in the team,” he added.

According to the GFA President, the team’s struggles were evident even before the tournament began, and the disappointing outcome only confirmed his fears.

“We exited the competition, and once we came home, there was a need to re-examine what we did. Instead of us going up, we started to decline and we didn’t make it to the last AFCON,” he said.

PAH/JE