Former coach of Bibiani Goldstars, Michael Osei, is bracing for a challenging journey for the Black Stars as they gear up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Set to vie for their fifth continental trophy, the Black Stars find themselves in Group B alongside Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique in the upcoming tournament hosted in Ivory Coast.
Expressing his views to Footballghana.com, the seasoned coach, who has previously guided Asante Kotoko and Star Madrid, urged Ghanaians to temper their expectations, citing the formidable competition the Black Stars are likely to face. He remarked, “It’s good for our ambition to search for our next fifth Afcon trophy, but we should lower our expectations because it won’t be easy at all. We have seen many of the other countries are also more favorites.”
In preparation for the AFCON, the Black Stars are slated to commence training in South Africa on December 31, with a 10-day camp before making their way to Ivory Coast.
While the Black Stars boast a rich history in AFCON, clinching the title four times, with the most recent triumph in 1982, they have encountered heartbreak in three subsequent finals. Defeats to Ivory Coast in 1992 on penalties and Egypt in 2010, along with a repeat loss to Ivory Coast in 2015, highlight the challenging nature of the competition.
The AFCON 2023 is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, January 13, and will unfold until February 11, 2024, promising intense football action on the Ivory Coast soil.
