Legendary Ghanaian footballer Abedi Ayew Pele has called for diligence and determination after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The 1982 AFCON winner indicated that there has been a change in Ghanaian football over the past three decades, which is a concern that ought to be looked at critically.
The three-time African Footballer of the Year called on the Black Stars’ technical team, as well as the players, to focus on correcting their mistakes and working hard to ensure the team produces good results to qualify for major tournaments.
During an interview with the media, as reported by Panafricafootball, Pele advised the team to work towards the future and leave the past behind to avoid controversies.
“I think time changes everything, and this, we are talking about three decades. So, whatever it is, we shouldn’t look back; we should just look forward, work hard, and achieve whatever we want to achieve.
“What it takes to be a great football team or a great football nation is to work hard and put your house in order to make sure that you get results, and that is all it takes to be a good team all over the world. Football is one of the keys to ensuring that the teams and the country are united,” Pele said.
The Black Stars, under coach Otto Addo, failed to qualify for the tournament. After six matches, Ghana was left bottom of Group F with just three points, recording three losses and three draws.
In Group F, Angola and Sudan qualified, while Ghana and Niger failed to qualify.
It is the first time in 20 years that Ghana has failed to qualify for the AFCON.
Watch the latest edition of Sports Debate below:
SB/EK
