The late JJ Rawlings tasked the Black Stars to win the 1982 AFCON
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has recounted how the 1981 coup d’état influenced the Black Stars’ participation in the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations in Libya.
According to the Speaker of Parliament, the Black Stars, who had qualified for the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations, were on the verge of boycotting the tournament following the government’s refusal to fund the team’s preparations.
Speaking at the 2025 Democracy Cup Partners’ Appreciation Cocktail event on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Alban Bagbin said the Black Stars would not have participated in the 1982 AFCON if not for Jerry John Rawlings’ second coup on December 31, 1981.
“The government of the day didn’t see the need to pump money into the Black Stars so the team didn’t prepare for the AFCON. But unfortunately for the government and fortunately for the Black Stars, there was a coup.”
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“The leader of the revolution decided to fund the team but tasked them to go to Libya and win the tournament. The team went to Libya and won the tournament and that was our last AFCON trophy and we have tried ever since but we are not able to win the trophy,” Speaker Alban Bagbin said.
The Black Stars despite not preparing for the tournament went to the 1982 AFCON and won the competition under the legendary Charles Kumi Gyamfi by beating host nation Libya 7-6 on penalties.
Ghana won the tournament without losing a single game.
The 1982 African Cup of Nations also cemented CK Gyamfi’s legacy as the first coach to win three AFCON trophies.
JE
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