Ghana coach Charles Akonnor refuses to be distracted by his critics ahead of Monday evening’s clash with South Africa in Johannesburg.
The Black Stars won their opening match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia but their performance didn’t excite Ghanaians.
Playing at home, Cape Coast stadium, the Black Stars were expected to outclass the East Africans but it wasn’t the case, with Akonnor’s side relying on a goalkeeping howler to record a 1-0 win.
The performance against Ethiopia, who sit 85 places below Ghana on FIFA ranking, has left many Ghanaians doubting the Black Stars can qualify for the World Cup in Qatar next year.
But Akonnor has vowed to maintain a positive outlook and prove his doubters wrong.
“What’s important is that we have to be efficient. Against Ethiopia, we didn’t excite you guys [Ghanaians] but we were efficient that’s why we won, and it stands now we are on top [of the group],” Akonnor said ahead of the South Africa game.
“We won’t allow the influence of pressure, or any comment to disturb us.
“We are focused, we saw South Africa against Zimbabwe, we have a strategy and we believe that it will work – even if they change their strategy, we will find an antidote to it and leave here with the three points.
Ghana’s last visit to South Africa ended in a 1-1 stalemate. That result secured Ghana’s qualification to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, which Akonnor has been tasked to win.
By: Enoch Fiifi Forson|3news.com|Ghana