Previewing Ghana's 2024 AFCON campaign: Tournament chances and standout players

The West African nation will compete in its 24th edition of the tournament in 2024. They will face a continental heavyweight in the initial group stage phase, and they even have an outside chance of going all of the way in the Ivory Coast.

Ghana is consistently a competitive nation at a majority of AFCON tournaments, this year will mark its 10th consecutive participation. In seven of their last nine appearances - stretching back to 2006 - they reached the knockout rounds and on six of those occasions they finished within the final four nations.

However, what are Ghana's chances predicted to look like this time around?

Ghana could be dark horses

Ghana is typically strong at AFCON, and they tend to be competitive regardless of the team they take to the tournament.

This time around they are seen as considerable outsiders across many AFCON 2024 betting sites, for example, bet365 offers odds of +1400 for them to become champions. However, their continental prestige could yet again empower them to go on a typical lengthy run into the knockout stages.

They will face a tough group in the initial phase which consists of seven-time record champions Egypt, and formidable opposition in Cape Verde and Mozambique. The group stage will be no formality for the Black Stars, although their quality should mean that they progress.

While the overall team lacks key components, the nation's star players could help them to emerge as the dark horses at this year's AFCON. Several West African nations are favored ahead of them, but a number of Ghana's top individuals could have their say on the tournament outcome.

The standout Black Stars

Ghana have a squad that lacks players that are in their prime. Aging players and developing players dominate much of the squad, although there are a minority of Black Stars that are certainly playing at their peak abilities, and they will surely be the standouts of 2024.

Thomas Partey would arguably provide the biggest boost of all for the Ghana squad if he can return to fitness in time to head to the Ivory Coast. He has been a crucial part of Arsenal's title-battling team over the past couple of years.

Ghana is fortunate enough that their standout player excels in a box-to-box role which means his qualities will be expressed all over the pitch. He can feed the attackers and help to anchor the defense.

Another notable star in the ranks is Inaki Williams - who switched allegiances from Spain in 2022. Williams has yet to truly show his quality at the international level, although the AFCON stage could provide the perfect opportunity for him to do just that.

The Athletic Bilbao player has managed 117 La Liga goal contributions throughout his career, and besides his direct contributions, he is an exceptional threat in general due to his immense pace.

Partey and Williams alongside the Ayew brothers could be the ideal quartet to help Ghana upset the odds in the 2024 AFCON. The likes of Senegal and Morocco will be favorites, but history suggests Ghana reach the latter stages more often than not at the continental event.

Ending their 42-year tournament drought will perhaps be a step too far, although a deep run is certainly a strong possibility for the Black Stars in the Ivory Coast.

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