AFCON 2023: Lackluster Black Stars Fire Blank as Namibia Held Ghana in Friendly Ahead of Tournament

• Ghana drew their pre-AFCON friendly against Namibia
• The Black Stars will leave for Ivory Coast on Wednesday
• Mohammed Kudus was absent for the friendly in Kumasi

The Black Stars of Ghana were held to a goalless draw by Namibia in their final preparatory game ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Despite dominating most of the game, the four-time African champions lacked the needed spark to break the defence of the South African nation.

Both sides have been preparing in Ghana ahead of the tournament which begins on Saturday in the neighbouring country.

For Namibia, it is a big result for them, especially with the way they managed the game against one of the teams considered as favourites to win the tournament.

The 1982 champions were missing in-form West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus, who is nursing a knock he sustained during the Premier League game against Arsenal on December 28.

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Meanwhile, Ghana coach Chris Hughton used the opportunity to give opportunities to other players, with Germany-based attacker Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer starting the friendly.

The Black Stars will hold their final training in Ghana on Tuesday before leaving for Abidjan on Wednesday.

Ghana open their 2023 AFCON with a game against Cape Verde in Group B, before engaging Egypt and Mozambique in subsequent matches.

Kudus yet to report to Ghana's camp

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that West Ham United star, Mohammed Kudus has not reported to Ghana's pre-AFCON camp five days before the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The 23-year-old is reportedly in Ghana but is said to be staying in Accra with the team camping in Kumasi, where training has been intensive.

According to the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association, Henry Asante Twum, Kudus is on medical rest, sparking concern.

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Kwesi Appiah tips Ghana to reach AFCON final

Sports Brief also reported that the Head coach of the Sudanese national team, Kwesi Appiah believes the Black Stars of Ghana can reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The four-time African champions head to Ivory Coast with slim hopes of winning the tournament following a poor run of results in recent games.

The Black Stars have won only one of their last four matches and were knocked out of the group stage at the last edition of AFCON in Cameroon.