Ghana head coach Maxwell Konadu has charged his players to show improvement in their performance ahead of their opening 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations group stage match against Guinea on Thursday night.
The local component of the Black Stars, having failed to qualify for the 2018 African Nations Championship, have their sights set on winning the WAFU trophy to appease Ghanaians.
However, doubts have been raised about the team’s chances of emerging victorious after their unconvincing first round performance against less-fancied Gambia last Saturday. They needed a controversial late penalty to overcome the resilient scorpions.
Despite the win being very unpopular, coach Maxwell Konadu jumped to the defence of his players insisting Ghana are “always slow starters in tournaments”.
But ahead of their clash against Guinea, who showed more mental strength to come from behind to book their place in Group A with a 2-1 win over Guinea-Bissau, Konadu admits the Black Stars B have to produce their best display to claim maximum points.
He said “I think that they do well in their various clubs that’s why we selected them, but it’s like the system being deployed here is not what they use in their clubs,’’
“At the national level, most of the times games are being played at a high-intensity level, with power and speed, so I expect them to step up their game than the usual one they do at their clubs. That’s why when they depart and join their clubs we expect that they will play a lot better than before,”
“That’s not to say what they’re being taught at their clubs are not good, but we know they can do more,”
“I think so far everybody is doing well and we’re content.” He added.
Ghana and Guinea have met in 18 previous matches, according to FIFA statistics. The Black Stars have claimed nine wins – compared to just three for Syli Nationale – and outscored their opponents 25 goals to 15 in the process.
Ghana v Guinea, head-to-head Record:
The local black stars were initially scheduled to play Nigeria in the Group A opener today, September 14 but changed as a result of the late arrival of Nigeria.
In the other Group A game, Nigeria will play Mali, with next round of matches scheduled for Saturday.