Ghana's Black Stars gear up for AFCON 2023 with South Africa training camp

Ghana's senior national football team, the Black Stars, are set to kick off preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D'Ivoire. The team is scheduled to assemble in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday, December 31, 2023.

In anticipation of Africa's flagship football competition, slated to take place from Saturday, January 13, to Sunday, February 11, 2024, the Black Stars will undergo approximately ten days of rigorous training in South Africa.

As part of preparations, Ghana will engage in a friendly match against Botswana in Johannesburg on Monday, January 8, 2024. Following the friendly, the team will then proceed to Abidjan two days later to participate in the tournament.

The technical team has emphasized that the training sessions will not be opened to the public or media.

Drawn into Group B, the Black Stars will face formidable opponents in Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. Ghana's opening match is scheduled against Cape Verde on Sunday, January 14. Subsequent to that, the team will take on record holders Egypt on Thursday, January 18, followed by a clash with Mozambique in the final Group B game on Monday, January 22, 2024.

Black Stars coach Chris Hughton has already named a 50-man provisional squad for the AFCON, signalling a thorough and competitive selection process ahead of the tournament. Hughton faces the task of narrowing down his selection to 26 players for the tournament.