PUNCH
Ghanaian players and fans were left downcast and in tears after the Black Stars suffered a group stage exit at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
This makes it a second consecutive edition of the AFCON that Ghana have suffered a humiliating exit from the competition without making it to the knockout stages, since losing to Tunisia on penalties in the round of 16 at the 2019 edition in Egypt.
In a group that has Cape Verde and Mozambique, the Ghanaians, alongside Egypt, were favourites to qualify from the group but a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde on the opening day plus 2-2 draws to Egypt and Mozambique respectively meant the Black Stars managed only two points out of a possible nine.
In their last two games, the West Africans led 2-0 in both fixtures before their opponents came back to steal points from them.
Ghana goalkeeper, Richard Ofori, and the Ayew brothers Andre and Jordan were singled out by the fans for criticisms, while other fans have consoled Mohammed Kudus, who scored a brace against Egypt.
This exit extends Ghana’s long wait for a fifth AFCON trophy since they last won it in 1982.
And in a viral video, the fans vented their anger on the team by smashing windows of the bus which was conveying the players out of the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
Angry Ghanaian journalists had barricaded the bus in a show of displeasure in the aftermath of the encounter. Earlier in their 2-1 loss to Cape Verde, a fan was arrested for assaulting head coach Chris Hughton.
A Ghanaian journalist was recorded on video insulting Black Stars head coach, Chris Hughton, yelling at the manager as he exited the stadium, “You! Only to do coach, stupid man. Foolish coach like you.”
A Ghanaian fan, Owuraku Ampofo, hit out at the Black Stars goalkeeper Ofori, who conceded a cheap corner after touching a ball going out of play when he shouldn’t have.
”Ghana conceded from this corner. Richard Ofori, I have no words for you man. Just pack your bags and leave,” Ampofo stated.
Another Ghanaian Sneaker Nyame added, “There’s no happiness in this country! Blackstars Norr. ECG Noor. Ghana Water Noor,” he wrote.
Another Ghanaian, Yakubu Kadir called Andre Ayew the worst captain in Ghana’s history.
“Richard Ofori has made Mohammed Kudus speechless. Dede Ayew has become the worst ever captain in the history of Ghana’s football. Asamoah Gyan, we are sorry,” he wrote.
A user with the account name, @Am_Blujay, believes that the Ayew brothers are acting like African dictators in the national team.
“Ayew brothers must let other kids play honestly. They are acting like African dictators.”
A Ghanaian @starboyorlando_ added, ”Or we should beg Dede Ayew to retire?”
with the username, @TwoTerty_ believes Ayew has done enough, stating, “Just retire, Dede Ayew we beg. You have done enough for us.”
It was also an opportunity for several Nigerian fans to reignite their rivalry with Ghana at the continental showpiece.
Ghanaians mocked the Super Eagles after a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea and Nigerians responded following their 2-1 loss to Cape Verde.
Indeed, Ghana and Nigeria started to banter when they arrived at the AFCON in traditional attires and is bound to continue for the rest of the tournament.
The rivalry spreads across food, music, movies, sports and even fashion, with both countries laying claim to cooking the best ‘jollof’ rice.
