The Ghanaian authorities want to remobilize the Black Stars after their elimination in the first round of the AFCON 2021. The goal: the play-offs for the 2022 World Cup.
Ghana have been eliminated in the first round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stars finished last in group C. They got a draw and two defeats, including this Tuesday 18 January against the Comoros, which plays its first finals. This early elimination had never happened since 2006.
Disappointed with these results, the country's authorities are demanding accountability. "The Ministry of Sports has summoned the Ghana Football Association board for an emergency meeting on 21 January (Friday). (The objective is to discuss and take decisions aimed at restoring the Black Stars' chances of success in their upcoming matches," a statement from the body said.
Milovan Rajevac in the hot seat?
Ghana was not listed as one of the favorites for the competition. But the four-time winners of the tournament were expected to reach the second round. The Black Stars were seen as the most serious contenders for the Atlas Lions of Morocco in Pool C. In the end, the Moroccans and the Gabonese went through automatically. And the Comoros are waiting to see if they can claim one of the three tickets reserved for the best third-placed teams. The Ghanaians went home.
This outcome irritates the Minister of Sports, Mustapha Ussif. The latter recalled that his government has mobilized significant logistical and financial resources to accompany the selection in Cameroon. Today, it is time to remobilize before the playoffs of the World Cup 2022, scheduled for next March.
Ghana had sacked the former Black Star Charles Akonnor and replaced him with Milovan Rajevac. But in view of his team's underperformance in Cameroon, the Serbian is likely to leave his post.
