We feel tensed playing in Accra - Gyan

Ghana's Black Stars are hoping to feel the warmth and massive home support instead of the tense atmosphere that had in recent past characterised the team's competitive matches at the Accra stadium.

The Stars make a return to the nation's capital for the time since beating Malawi 2-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on September 8, 2012.

On Sunday, Asamoah Gyan leads the team to play Mauritius in a Group H qualifier for the 2017 Nations Cup hoping that they will not only get off to a winning start, but also enjoy unflinching support from the spectators.

Fans in Accra have gained the unenviable reputation of failing to pep up the Stars when the going gets tough in matches, compared to the warm reception and strong support they usually enjoy in Kumasi and more recently, Tamale.

However, Gyan believes that fans in Accra want the Stars to excel and that will ginger them to fully come to lend their support.

In an interview with the Graphic Sports, the Stars captain admitted that playing in Accra had always been "quite difficult and always with tension", compared to other home venues. But on Sunday, he is optimistic the atmosphere will be different and very conducive for victory.

"I believe that fans, like everyone else, always want to see good football as as well as the team winning. Somehow, such expectation and, perhaps, the reaction into our games compared to other venues," the AlAin striker told the Graphic Sports.

He dismissed suggestions that the players were not in favour of playing in Accra out of fear of a cold reception as a fallout from from the 2014 World Cup fiasco.

He said, at least, their performance at the 2015 AFCON had left on one in doubt that they were really sorry about the disappointing performance in Brazil and that they were ready to bring back smiles on the faces of their teeming fans.