Black Stars need to show more commitment ahead of 2019 Afcon, says legend Pare

Former Ghana striker Kofi Pare has urged the Black Stars to show more commitment to the course of the team ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Kwesi Appiah's men are eyeing an eighth back-to-back appearance at the Afcon finals as a win over Kenya in the last game of the qualifiers will secure them an automatic slot.

 

Since 1982, Ghana have failed at every attempt to win the trophy albeit reaching the semi-finals in the previous six editions.

“I believe the Black Stars must improve in several ways if they are going to match our achievements," the 79-year-old told Happy FM.

"They need to show more commitment when representing the country. They can only win the Afcon next year when they are committed to the course of the country.

"We went into the 1963 Afcon tournament ready to lift the flag of Ghana high. Former president Dr. Kwame Nkrumah promised us a two-bedroom apartment for winning the cup because he was impressed with our devotion.

"Although, he couldn’t deliver on his promise because things were hard in the country during that time, he again urged us to win the competition in 1965 so that he can double our prizes. We won again but unfortunately, he was overthrown few months later so we missed out again.

"It was until recently that we were given something but i don't think the current players would've continued representing the country after all the failed promises but we did without hesitations. So the current players should be committed and focus on the title next year ahead of the rewards," he added.

Apart from Pare winning two Afcon titles, he holds the record as the only Ghanaian to score six goals in a single game. He achieved that feat in a 13-2 thrashing of Kenya in a friendly game during the latter's independence day celebration in 1964.