Dede, Gyan promise African Cup 2017
Black Stars, coming to terms with their painful loss of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Cote d’Ivoire last Sunday, want to put the disappointment of the Nations Cup behind them and turn their attention to the 2017 tournament, with a promise to win it at the next opportunity.
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A resolve to end Ghana’s 33-year continental drought runs deep in the team. Both officials and players such as Skipper Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew are highly confident they can build on the team’s achievements in Equatorial Guinea to deliver the title at the 2017 AFCON, if they can well as maintain their focus and mental strength.
"Missing the trophy the way we did is no doubt disappointing, and nothing can compensate for that. But we accept that in football the best team does not always win. We we hope and believe strongly that success will come our way and we will work harder to deliver it at the next tournament," Gyan told the Graphic Sports.
According to the striker, the playing body has already reviewed their performance and have to show mental strength as they look into the future.
With Ghana in the reckoning to win the bid to host the 2017 tournament, Gyan relishes winning the country’s fifth African title in front of Ghanaians.
“It will be a great experience to host the event again, and that will even add to our determination to win the title on home soil. It is not wishful thinking; we will be ready to work for it."
Assistant captain, Ayew, who is still coming to terms with last Sunday’s loss, was in agreement with his captain as he stressed the determination of the team to work harder for the next title.
"I have not gotten over the disappointment. It is difficult but I think it is one of the painful experiences in football and in the spirit of the game, we will come to terms with the loss.
“However, we have not given up. We will come back stronger in 2017 and, Insha Allah, we will deliver the title," said the Olympique Marseille midfielder, who was crowned the competition’s top scorer with three goals, and the highest number of assists.
Most of the players expressed the same optimism, saying they would go all the way and make sure the title is delivered at the next opportunity.
While the chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, George Afriyie, shared in the players’ confidence, he was cautiously optimistic about Ghana’s title prospects. “Yes, it is possible and we can think ahead of the future, but we also have to be optimistic but take it a step after the other till we get to that point again."
