A former goalkeeper of the Senior National Team – the Black Stars’, Fatawu Dauda, has said that despite the difficult group Ghana finds itself in the World Cup, they can still excel in the tournament. According to the ex-goalie, he and the entire country would be disappointed if Ghana fails to make it out of the group stages, just as disappointed in the 2014 Brazil tournament.
The former Nigeria-based Enyimba FC goalkeeper said this in an answer to questions from the media at Adjiringanor Sports Complex in East Legon on Saturday, July 16, when he graced the launch of a unity football tournament organized by the King of the Igbo community in Ghana as part of their activities to mark the 10th anniversary of the Igbo throne in Ghana.
“I will be disappointed if they fail to qualify from the group stages to the next level, and I think every Ghanaian will also be just as disappointed as they were after our last appearance (Brazil 2014),” he said.
Giving a clue on how the Black Stars can bring home the trophy, he said, “I will advise them to take it match after match and keep in mind that, to be able to make it to the final, they need to win 6 matches, so they can perform better and make their family, supporters and the entire nation proud.”
Equally, the Former Udinese Calcio and Black Stars midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has expressed confidence in the current Black Stars squad ahead of the Qatar 2024 World Cup tournament in November.
With hard work, good preparation and determination, he believes it could be possible for the Black Stars to clinch the trophy at the end of the tournament.
Despite admitting to the media that the group, Ghana finds itself in is a tough one, he still believes surprises are an integral part of football.
“I think our group is a very difficult one, but with very good preparation, we can forge ahead. Everything is possible, and I know when we fight well and with the kind of players that have joined the team, we can even bring home the trophy,” he noted with optimism.
The former Kumasi-based Asante Kotoko player also revealed that everyone wishes to play in the World Cup as a player.
He further asserted that they (the former players) would be there to support the team during the tournament.
By Derick Botsyoe