The team had initially planned to camp in Johannesburg, South Africa,
but due to public outcry over the location of the tournament, the
decision was reversed.
On Monday, January 1, about 14 players arrived at the Kumasi
International Airport in the evening, ready to start camping. They were
led by captain Andre Ayew, who was accompanied by other players such as
Salis Abdul Samed, Gideon Mensah and Ernest Nuamah.
Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew Inaki Williams and others named in the final squad are expected to join the Black Stars later.
Black Stars have been drawn in Group B of the tournament, alongside
Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique. The Black Stars will kick off their
campaign for a fifth trophy on Sunday, January 14, 2024, with a match
against Cape Verde, followed by encounters with Egypt and Mozambique to
conclude the group stage.
The team’s arrival in Kumasi marks the beginning of an intensive
preparation period ahead of the AFCON. The players will undergo rigorous
training sessions and will play one friendly against Namibia to
fine-tune their skills and build team cohesion.
The coaching staff, led by coach Chris Hughton, will also use this
time to assess the players’ fitness levels and strategize for the
tournament.
