The Ghanaian national football team, known as the Black Stars, has arrived in the United States for two friendly matches against Mexico and the US. The team has been greeted with hospitality and generosity by their hosts, handling all their accommodation and essential needs.
The friendlies are part of preparing for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which will resume in November 2023. Ghana is currently leading Group G with six points from two games. The team hopes to maintain momentum and qualify for its fifth consecutive World Cup appearance.
The first match against Mexico will occur on Thursday, October 14, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The second match against the US will be on Monday, October 18, at the Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the two matches are fully funded by the host countries, who have also arranged for the Ghanaian team’s transportation, feeding, and training facilities. The GFA said these arrangements were made through negotiations with both countries, who are also preparing for the Gold Cup, the equivalent of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“The two teams care for everything; Ghana is not spending money. These are the negotiations we did with both countries. We are preparing to play FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and they are also preparing to play the Gold Cup,” GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo told Peace FM, as monitored by Footballghana.com.
The GFA also thanked the host countries for their hospitality and support. “We are very grateful to Mexico and the US for their kind gesture. They have shown us great respect and friendship. We are looking forward to playing with them and giving them a good challenge,” Addo said.
The friendlies will also allow Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac to assess his players and test new tactics. Rajevac, who returned to coach Ghana in September 2023 after a successful stint in 2008-2010, has named a 23-man squad with some new faces and experienced players.
Among the new faces are goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, defender Samuel Ashie Quaye, midfielder Emmanuel Gyamfi, and forward Kwame Opoku. The experienced players are captain Andre Ayew, defender Jonathan Mensah, midfielder Thomas Partey, and forward Jordan Ayew.
The friendlies will also be a chance for the Ghanaian fans in the US to cheer for their team and show their support. According to the US Census Bureau, about 155,000 people of Ghanaian origin lived in the US in 2019. Many are expected to attend the matches and create a festive atmosphere.
The friendlies will be broadcast live on various TV channels and online platforms. Fans can also follow the updates on social media using the hashtags #BlackStars, #GhanaMexico, and #GhanaUSA.
The friendlies are expected to be competitive and entertaining, as Mexico and the US are among the top teams in North America. Mexico is ranked ninth in the FIFA world rankings, while the US is ranked 13th. Ghana is ranked 52nd.
However, regarding friendly matches, rankings do not matter much, as anything can happen on the pitch. The Ghanaian team is confident it can match up with any opponent and prove its worth.
“We are not afraid of any team. We respect them, but we also believe in ourselves. We have a strong team spirit and a winning mentality. We are here to play our best and make our country proud,” Andre Ayew said.
Source: GhanaWeb
