Sports
Chris Hughton Sets Sights On AFCON 2023
Chris Hughton, the coach of the Ghanaian national football team, the Black Stars, has set his sights on securing qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast.
Hughton, who recently led the team to earn four points from their doubleheader against Angola in March, is just one win away from securing a place in next year’s tournament.
The Black Stars currently lead Group E with eight points, and Hughton is determined to maintain this momentum in the upcoming matches against Madagascar and the Central African Republic in the fourth and fifth rounds of the AFCON qualifiers.
“This has to be the priority to get results in these games because ultimately it is about making sure we are in Afcon in January. [We have to] qualify for Afcon in January,” Hughton told Supersport.
In addition to his focus on securing qualification, Hughton is also looking to develop local talent and integrate them into the Black Stars.
“We have good young players coming through and this will also give me the opportunity to look at more of the local players over a period of time,” he said.
Hughton previously served as Technical Advisor for the Black Stars before signing a 21-month contract to become head coach until the end of 2024.
He sees the upcoming matches as a crucial opportunity to further build and strengthen the team, while also evaluating and nurturing young talent.
The coach’s dedication and focus on qualifying for the AFCON tournament is likely to be welcomed by Ghanaian football fans, who are eager to see the Black Stars return to their former glory.
The team has won the AFCON tournament four times in its history, but has not won the tournament since 1982.
As Hughton leads the Black Stars into their upcoming matches, the team will undoubtedly face stiff competition from their opponents.
However, the coach’s experience and determination to develop local talent and secure qualification for the AFCON tournament bodes well for the future of Ghanaian football.
