By Africa Live News
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has praised the mental toughness and resilience of the Black Stars, describing their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as clear proof of the team’s strength of character, despite the disappointment of missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking in a televised interview, the CAF Second Vice President reflected on what has been one of the most emotionally demanding periods in Ghana’s football history. According to him, qualifying for the world’s biggest football tournament in the same cycle the team failed to reach AFCON highlights a remarkable ability to recover from setbacks.
“AFCON for me is a given. We have to be there, and if we are not there, that will be the low side of our sport,” Okraku said, admitting that missing the continental showpiece in Morocco was deeply painful for both the football fraternity and the nation.
The Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON marked a historic low moment, ending Ghana’s long-standing tradition of consistent appearances at Africa’s premier football competition. The disappointment sparked widespread criticism, frustration among supporters, and intense scrutiny of the Football Association and technical team.
However, Kurt Okraku believes what followed after that setback tells a more important story about growth, discipline, and collective mentality.
“We have been able to organise ourselves, and we have been able to make it to the World Cup,” he stated. “That shows the strength of the team that we have — the mindset and the mentality of the people involved. That we went so low, but then within the same period we have gone so high.”
Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has been described by football analysts as one of the country’s most significant comebacks in recent times. The achievement not only restored national pride but also reaffirmed Ghana’s place among Africa’s elite footballing nations.
For Okraku, the qualification did not happen by chance. He credited improved internal organisation, renewed focus, and belief within the playing body and technical setup.
According to the GFA president, adversity tested the character of the team and the federation, but it also provided an opportunity to rebuild confidence and unity.
“There was disappointment, yes, but disappointment should not paralyse you. It should push you to work harder, think deeper, and become better,” he noted.
He acknowledged that the pain of missing AFCON still lingers but insisted it should not overshadow the significance of returning to the global stage.
“I will always regret not going to AFCON because Ghana belongs there,” he said. “But the World Cup qualification tells us that we are capable of bouncing back when we focus.”
The Black Stars will compete in Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they are drawn alongside England, Croatia, and Panama — a group widely considered challenging but also rich with opportunity.
The draw has already generated excitement among Ghanaian football fans, with many viewing the fixtures as a chance for redemption and global recognition. England and Croatia are both experienced World Cup campaigners, while Panama remain a rising force in international football.
Okraku believes competing against such opponents offers Ghana the platform to test its progress and measure its growth.
“These are the moments that define football nations,” he said. “You don’t grow by avoiding strong teams. You grow by facing them.”
The GFA president also emphasized that the World Cup qualification represents more than just football success. According to him, it is a lesson in leadership, perseverance, and belief.
“In football and in life, you can fall. What matters is how quickly and how strongly you rise,” he explained.
Since assuming office, Kurt Okraku has overseen structural reforms within the GFA, including improved administrative systems, development of domestic competitions, and renewed investment in national teams. While challenges remain, the World Cup ticket has provided renewed confidence in the direction of Ghana football.
Football stakeholders have largely welcomed his comments, with many agreeing that qualifying for the World Cup after missing AFCON reflects a team that refused to collapse under pressure.
Sports analysts say the Black Stars’ response to adversity may become one of the defining narratives of Ghana’s modern football era — one shaped not by perfection, but by resilience.
As preparations begin toward the 2026 tournament, expectations will undoubtedly rise. Supporters are hopeful that the team can build on the momentum, strengthen squad depth, and approach the competition with renewed confidence.
For Kurt Okraku, however, the message remains simple: setbacks are part of sport, but resilience defines champions.
“Football will test you,” he said. “What defines you is your response.”
With Ghana now back on the world stage, attention turns to preparation, unity, and belief — qualities the GFA president insists will guide the Black Stars as they prepare to face the world once again.
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