Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku has hailed the Black Galaxies of Ghana following their historic qualification to the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament that will be held next year.
Ghana, despite allowing Nigeria to score two second-half goals to take the game to penalties, managed to progress to the finals of the Algeria 2022 CHAN tournament with a 5-4 penalty shootout win.
“I am here to thank and congratulate you. Before you travelled, we had a lengthy conversation and indeed you’ve gone to Abuja to make the nation proud.
“My mission here tonight is to express the gratitude of the GFA and the nation to each one of you for the honour done to our dear country. You went in there to seek qualification and no matter the challenges you were able to qualify,” Okraku said while addressing the Black Galaxies upon arrival in Accra late Saturday night.
Ghana last participated in the biennial tournament in 2014 where they made it to the finals and lost Libya.
Kurt Okraku highlighted how valuable this qualification is to the nation after three straight failed attempts – 2016, 2018 and 2020 editions.
“This achievement is valuable because previously we’ve made three attempts but we couldn’t make it and you guys have done it,” he said.
The GFA chief continued by thanking the technical team.
“I want to thank coach Annor Walker for this achievement. I remember the day we gave him this job I promised him that he has the confidence of the FA. Today, he and his assistants have vindicated us for our confidence in them,” he intimated.
The 2022 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament comes off in Algeria from January 13 to February 4, 2023.
18 teams, including hosts Algeria, will be drawn into five groups – three groups of four and two groups of three.
