Hundreds of Ghanaians converged on the Hilton Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday to bid the Black Stars farewell ahead of the team’s departure for Rhode Island on Thursday. Ghana have been camping and training in Washington since the friendly against Wales in Cardiff. Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his backroom staff have led the team through intensive sessions ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which kicked off on Thursday.
The farewell dinner was heavily attended by Ghanaian residents in the diaspora, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, as well as players and staff of the Black Stars.
CAF 2nd Vice President and President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, thanked the gathering for their show of love towards the team and assured them of Ghana’s readiness to battle for glory in this year’s tournament.
“We strongly believe in this team, and we know that we are not here to be counted among the numbers but to compete and fight for the title,” President Simeon-Okraku said.
“I strongly believe in these players and, over time, they have proven that they have the quality, the talent, the hunger and the desire to make Ghana proud.”
“This is our time to shine. The stakes are high. A lot of people don’t believe, but I do. I feel energized and very upbeat about our chances in this tournament. We are Ghana, and we shall conquer,” he added.
The farewell event was graced by Alyia Gaskins – Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia; Sarah Bagley – Vice Mayor; and Council members John Chapman, Abdel Elnoubi, and Sandy Marks.
Also present were Black Stars Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his assistants Roger De Sa, Desmond Ofei, Mick McDermott, Dan Gaspar, and Abdul Fatawu Dauda, alongside John Paintsil.
Vice President of the Ghana Football Association, Mark Addo, was also in attendance, alongside Black Stars Management Committee Vice Chairman Stephen Appiah and Management Committee Members Moses Armah and Samuel Aboabire.
The team has since arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, to continue preparations for the FIFA World Cup. Ghana will play Panama in Toronto on June 17 before facing England and Croatia in the other Group L matches.
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