Under the guidance of Chris Hughton, Ghana is set to kick off its 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. In this article, we share all the information you need to know about the Black Stars.
AFCON 2023: Ghana's schedule
Ghana's team will face Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique in Group B. The Black Stars will play their first two group matches at Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan and the third match at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in the same city.
January 14, 9:00 PM: Ghana vs. Cape Verde, Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny
January 18, 9:00 PM: Egypt vs. Ghana, Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny
January 22, 9:00 PM: Mozambique vs. Ghana, Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara
How Ghana qualified for AFCON 2023
In the Group E qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana, undefeated, finished on top with 12 points, comprising 3 wins and 3 draws.
Matchday 1: Ghana 3-0 Madagascar
Matchday 2: Central African Republic 1-1 Ghana
Matchday 3: Ghana 1-0 Angola
Matchday 4: Angola 1-1 Ghana
Matchday 5: Madagascar 0-0 Ghana
Matchday 6: Ghana 2-1 Central African Republic
Ghana's Last Ten Matches
Comoros 1-0 Ghana – 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Ghana 1-0 Madagascar – 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
USA 4-0 Ghana – Friendly Mexico 2-0
Ghana – Friendly Ghana 3-1 Liberia – Friendly
Ghana 2-1 Central African Republic – AFCON 2023 qualifiers
Madagascar 0-0 Ghana – AFCON 2023 qualifiers
Angola 1-1 Ghana – AFCON 2023 qualifiers
Ghana 1-0 Angola – AFCON 2023 qualifiers
Ghana 0-2 Uruguay – 2022 FIFA World Cup
Ghana: On the decline?
Although Ghana's national team has participated in four of the last five World Cup editions—positioning it among the continent's strong nations—their continental success has dwindled. Black Stars' supporters have been waiting since 1982 (that's 42 years!) to see their team lift the AFCON trophy again! They came close in 1992, 2010, and 2015, reaching the final each time, but the fact remains that the Black Stars haven’t won the prestigious African tournament for almost half a century.
In the last edition in Cameroon, their journey ended in the first round. For Hughton's troops, who are coming off less reassuring performances (three defeats in four matches), the goal is to at least reach the knockout phase.
Ghana's coach: Chris Hughton
Following the departure of interim coach Otto Addo, the Ghana Football Association appointed Irish coach Chris Hughton as the head of the Black Stars last February. Previously a technical consultant within the Ghana national team, the 65-year-old technician, who had a decent playing career (53 caps and one goal for the Irish national team), has notably managed Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Since taking over the Ghana national team, the former defender has accumulated four wins, two draws, and three losses. A somewhat mixed record, notably marked by a last-minute qualification for AFCON and a heavy defeat against the USA last October, for which he publicly apologised. His position has raised doubts within the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The recent gathering, marked by another loss to Comoros (1-0) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, hasn’t dispelled doubts about him. Nevertheless, the British coach remains in charge and will aim to prove his capability during AFCON. The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Cape Verde, who reached the Round of 16 in the 2021 edition, on January 14.
Player to watc: Ernest Nuamah
Trained at the Right to Dream Academy, a genuine talent pool that has nurtured other players like Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton FC) and Mohamed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Ernest Nuama has been playing for Olympique Lyonnais since this summer. Currently, the young talent (20 years old) isn’t setting scoring records (one goal, one assist) but is gaining experience in a demanding league (14 matches played).
In a Lyon side that is starting to improve in Ligue 1, this versatile attacker, capable of playing on the wings or as a center forward, still needs improvement in finishing, but his explosiveness, above-average technique, and ability to provoke and eliminate opponents display an interesting potential.
Pre-selected for the 2022 World Cup but eventually not included in the final squad, the Kumasi native, who excelled during his time in Denmark with FC Nordsjælland (20 goals in 49 matches), had to wait until June 2023 to earn his first cap with the Black Stars. While his experience with the national team is limited (four caps, one goal) at present, the left-footer standing at 1.78 meters could be an interesting option off the bench for this AFCON 2023. Undoubtedly one of the young talents to watch out for in Côte d'Ivoire!
Ghana's Team: Preparation schedule for AFCON
Ghana will commence its preparation camp on December 31st in Johannesburg, South Africa, for around ten days before heading to Abidjan. They will play Botswana during the camping period on January 8.
Ghana AFCON 2023 squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen, Switzerland), Richard Ofori (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Joe Wollacott (Hibernian, Scotland).
Defenders: Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Abdul Fatawu Hamidu (Medeama, Ghana), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre, France), Denis Odoi (Club Bruges, Belgium), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens, France), Mohammed Salisu (Monaco, France), Kingsley Schindler (Samsunspor, Turkey), Alidu Seidu (Clermont, France).
Midfielders: Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht, Belgium), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Baba Iddrisu (Mallorca, Spain), Ransford Konigsdorffer (Hamburg, Germany), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham, England), Richmond Lamptey (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre, France), Joseph Paintsil (Genk, Belgium), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens, France).
Forwards: Andre Ayew (Le Havre, France), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, England), Ernest Nuamah (RWD Molenbeek, Belgium), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth, England), Jonathan Sowah (Medeama, Ghana), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao, Spain).
