Ghana Coach Chris Hughton Emphasizes Significance of Upcoming Friendlies in Preparing for 2023 AFCON and 2026 World
Ghana’s national football coach, Chris Hughton, has underscored the importance of the forthcoming friendly matches against Mexico and the United States of America as the Black Stars gear up for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast early next year.
The Black Stars’ schedule includes a match against Mexico at the Bank of America Stadium on October 15 (with a 12:30 am local time kickoff) in Charlotte, followed by a game against the USA in Nashville on October 18 (also at a 12:30 am local time kickoff).
Hughton, in a statement to the Ghana Football Association media, has stressed the value of these two friendlies in their preparations for the AFCON. He mentioned, “It’s a good test for us. Of course, they are not games against African opponents and on African pitches, but that is the balance we have. We are here for two games where the oppositions will be favorites because they are playing at home, and it will be a big test for us.”
In the recent draw held in Ivory Coast, the Black Stars were placed in Group B, competing alongside record AFCON champions Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. The 2023 AFCON tournament is scheduled to run from January 13 to February 11, 2024, with Ghana commencing their campaign on January 14 against Cape Verde. Their subsequent matches in the tournament will involve facing Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
Prior to these crucial fixtures, Ghana’s national team is set to compete against Madagascar and Comoros in the World Cup qualifiers in November, further enhancing their preparations for the upcoming challenges on the international football stage. The upcoming friendlies against Mexico and the USA serve as a significant step in Ghana’s journey to excel in both the AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
