“Decide to die for Ghana or never be selected” – Kurt Okraku tells Black Stars

Kurt Okraku, the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), voiced his displeasure with the Black Stars players for their underwhelming performance in the opening round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

In an address to the squad on Tuesday before their matches against Sudan, Okraku publicly criticized their underwhelming results in the first two matches.

“The minimum I expect is a team of men with passion”

Kurt Okraku has a go at the Black Stars players in camp#3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/69eJrlRATz

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) October 9, 2024

A loss against Angola in Kumasi to start the season was attributed to unfavorable pitch conditions for the Black Stars. But even on a better field in Morocco, they could not make an impression and drew with Niger in a game that lacked intensity and emotion.

Ghana has a difficult road to qualification with just one point from two games, and Okraku’s remarks highlighted the seriousness of the issue.

“The very least that Ghana and I want is a group of boys or men who will have the drive and enthusiasm to represent our nation in sports. Not when the ball is going toward your net and you are dribbling and visible on the field. I told the coach that’s not doable,” he stated.