The change follows public criticisms and concerns on why Ghana is going to a country far from the venue of the competition in Cote d'Ivoire when other countries are moving to Ghana to camp.

Ghana was originally scheduled to open a training camp in South Africa from Sunday, December 31, 2023, for a 10-day period ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

Following the decision, the team will now camp in Kumasi beginning Tuesday, January 2, 2023, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced.

The International friendly against Botswana scheduled on Monday, January 8, 2023 in Johannesburg has been called off and the GFA is working on finding a new opponent for the team as part of the build up to the tournament in Abidjan.

The Ghana Football Association in an announcement on Thursday [Dec 28] said the change in venue followed a review meeting.

The GFA is mindful of the request of the Black Stars Technical Team for a quiet and serene camping atmosphere, and thus, the hotel will be strictly inaccessible to the public and the media, the FA stated.

Again, the training sessions will be behind closed doors and not available to the public and media.

The team will, however, organise a session with the media. The friendly match will also be open to the public, after which there will be a post-match press conference with the media.

The Association calls for public understanding and support to ensure that the objectives of the Technical Team of the Black Stars during the camping period in Kumasi are achieved.

Ghana is paired in Group B alongside giants Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Cape Verde on Sunday, January 14, before taking on record holders Egypt on January 18 and play Mozambique on January 22 in the other Group B game.